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CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 




JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER IN 1833 
After a Medallion by P. J. David. 



CORRESPONDENCE 

OF 

JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 

EDITED BY HIS GRANDSON 

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER 




VOLUME ONE 



NEW HAVEN 
YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS 

LONDON • HUMPHREY MILFORD • OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 

MDCCCCXXH 






COPYRIGHT 1922 BY 
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER 



©CI.AGSR662 

NOV -0 IJ^2 



TO 
HENRY A. BEERS 

OF NEW HAVEN, 

WHO HELPED IN ITS PREPARATION, 

AND WHO IS A FRIEND OF TWO 

GENERATIONS OF THE DESCENDANTS OF 

FENIMORE-COOPER, 

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED 



ARRANGED IN FOUR PARTS AS FOLLOWS: 

Part First: Introduction, etc. 

Part Second: 1800 to October, 1833. 

Part Third: 1833 to July, 1842. 

Part Fourth: 1842 to September, 1851. 

With an Appendix containing a Journal 
covering a portion of the year 1848. 



PART FIRST 

AN INTRODUCTION 

SMALL FAMILY MEMORIES 
BY SUSAN FENIMORE COOPER (1883) 

AND A BRIEF CHRONOLOGY 



INTRODUCTION 

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER died Septem- 
ber 14, 1851, seventy years ago to-day, and his first 
story, Precaution^ was published over one hundred 
years ago. 

Shortly before his death, while sitting on a sofa beside 
his eldest child, Susan Augusta, he said to her that he 
wished his family not to authorize the publication of any 
biography. There was even then a difference of opinion in 
the family as to the extent of the prohibition intended; 
some members believing that it was only a temporary one 
prompted by the bitterness still felt toward Cooper by 
much of the press of the country on account of his libel 
suits. Acting upon the other theory, however, his eldest 
daughter, before she died, destroyed a great deal of the 
material which could have been used in the preparation of 
a biography, and had buried with her the most interesting 
of his Journals. 

To-day no one could write a satisfactory life of 
Cooper; it would necessarily be limited to a bare state- 
ment of facts, most of which already have been published 
in one of the existing accounts of his life. 

Probably, however, the characteristics of a man are 
shown by his letters more clearly than in any other way 
except by personal contact. This is especially true where 
the letters are written to members of his family, without 
expectation of publication. Fortunately there are in the 
possession of Cooper's family some hundreds of these 



4 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

letters, in great part written by him to his wife; most of 
them are the letters of a man temporarily absent in the 
cities of Albany, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, 
and Washington, to his wife at his home in Cooperstown, 
giving her an account of his own activities, the news of 
mutual friends, and the gossip of the towns ; a few are to 
other members of his family, and some to friends and 
acquaintances. *" 

I have added to these letters written by Cooper, and 
selected for publication, a certain number to him from his 
friends, with the hope of supplying the reader with a 
knowledge of the questions of the times, political and 
social, which Cooper and his friends discussed, and of the 
men and women with whom he associated and corre- 
sponded; their feelings toward him, and indirectly his 
views on the great topics of his time, which are not ex- 
pressed in his letters to his family. In this way it is hoped 
to create for the reader of these volumes the atmosphere 
in which he lived. I know of no better way of doing it. 

This correspondence covers fifty-one years of the life 
of a man who lived but sixty-one. The first letter was 
written in the winter of the year 1800 and the last in the 
autumn of 1851 ; so that the first letter is over one hun- 
dred and twenty years old, and the most recent over 
seventy. While the lapse of time seems to justify this 
publication, notwithstanding the request of Fenimore 
Cooper that no biography be authorized, the original 
letters contain much of too intimate a nature for the eyes 
of the public even now : this has been eliminated. 

Of the three surviving Journals kept by Cooper, two— 
those recording his travels on the Continent in 1832 and 
1833 — have been omitted from these volumes on the 
ground that Cooper himself printed all that is interesting 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 5 

in them, in an amplified form, as part of his own work, 
A Residence in France. The third Journal, that of 
Cooper's home life in 1848, is printed as an Appendix 
to Volume II. 

In printing the letters and diary the greatest care has 
been taken to follow exactly the originals, and only errors 
which were manifestly the result of a mere slip of the pen 
have been corrected. This was considered the best course, 
even at the risk of subjecting the book to the criticism of 
careless editing and printing by readers not familiar with 
the rule adopted. Where the writers of the letters mis- 
spelled, misquoted, mispunctuated, or used poor English 
their mistakes have been preserved as part of their 
individuality. 

In no case has the elimination of any part of a letter 
been indicated by stars or otherwise, and as far as possible 
footnotes have been dispensed with. Necessary informa- 
tion has been put in the narrative. This has been done to 
make the book as readable as possible. 

In 1883 Susan Augusta Fenimore Cooper, the 
author's eldest daughter, and perhaps his favorite child, 
began to write, for her nephews and nieces, her own 
reminiscences; she died after bringing them down to the 
year 1828. A part of these has been published in the little 
volume Legends and Traditions of a Northern Country: 
they are set out here in full for the purpose of giving 
in this publication as complete a picture of the life of 
Fenimore Cooper and of the man as ever can be made 
public. 

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER. 
CooperstoiLm, 

September /^, ig2i. 



SMALL FAMILY MEMORIES 

RECORDED for the pleasure of my dear nephews 
and nieces, none of whom have known personally 
^ their Grandfather and Grandmother Cooper. 
These small memories were planned two or three years 
since. Last summer Jim asked me to write something of 
the kind; I therefore give the little book to him; but all 
the grandchildren are to read, and those who choose to 
take the trouble may copy it. It is written for all the 
family circle. 

Cooperstown^ 

January ^5, 1883. 



"Delle cose custode, 
E dispensiera." 



I. THE FARM HOUSE AT FENIMORE 

MY first recollections of my dear Father and 
Mother go back to the remote ages when we 
were living at "Fenimore," in the farm-house 
built by your grandfather. I was then about three years 
old. Some incidents of that time I remember with perfect 
distinctness, while the intervening weeks, or months, are 
a long blank. 

I used very often to trot along between my Father and 
Mother about the grounds; and I remember distinctly 
going with them to the new stone house, then building. 
In that house they expected to pass their lives. But in 
fact it was never inhabited. Your grandfather one day 
chose an even stone, to be placed in the wall, and carved 
on it his own name and that of your grandmother, with 
the date — 1816. The position of that house was charm- 
ing, on a rising knoll, commanding a lovely view of the 
Lake and village. The grounds reached to the brook, 
southward, and the principal entrance was to have been 
at the point where the road crosses the brook. Tradition 
says that the last deer seen near the village was drinking, 
early one summer morning, from that brook. In my own 
mind I have always called it "Deer-Brook," from that 
little incident. The garden at Fenimore was then placed 
in the meadow just beyond the road leading to the bam 
at the farm-house. I remember walking there with your 
grandfather, who was always fond of gardening. On one 



10 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

occasion, on returning from the stone house, with my dear 
Mother, she picked up a broken branch of raspberry and 
set it in the ground, telling me that it would take root 
and grow, a fact which greatly surprised my infant mind. 

The farm-house was painted red. It has been much 
enlarged since those days. 

Our household consisted of our sweet Nurse Nanny, a 
widow; she was an Englishwoman, who when a young 
girl came from England with my grandmother De 
Lancey as nurse to my Uncle Thomas, then an infant. 
She then became my Mother's nurse, and lived some 
years at Heathcote Hill. Later in the day she married a 
farmer in the neighborhood, named Disbrow, and had 
several children. After her husband's death she returned 
to live at Heathcote Hill, and after my mother's mar- 
riage she became nurse to my little sister Elizabeth, and 
to myself. She removed with us to Cooperstown. Her 
daughter Susan, a great stout young woman, was the 
cook at Fenimore; Fred, a colored boy from Heathcote 
Hill, was the waiter. There were still slaves in New York 
at that time, and a family of them belonged to my 
Grandfather De Lancey. They had an easy time of it, I 
imagine. Fred was given to my Mother when she re- 
moved to Cooperstown, but I think I have heard that 
my Father paid him wages. Sam Brimmer was the coach- 
man; he was the son of a Hessian soldier. All these 
members of the household I remember distinctly. 

My Father had two grey horses, which I also remem- 
ber very well ; and he had a little carriage which he called 
the rasce — a sailor's name. When a ship in the navy was 
changed from a higher to a lower grade by removing one 
of her decks she was said to be rasee — cut down, as it 
were — and the little carriage at Fenimore must have been 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER ii 

a barouche, I think, with only half a top. At any rate my 
Father always called it rasce. 

I remember distinctly rather an adventurous drive on 
the Lake, with the grey ponies, but not in the rasee^ of 
course. Your grandfather had been driving the little 
family party in the sleigh to the village, — no doubt it was 
in the spring when the roads were bad, — and when we 
returned the ice had parted from the shore! There lay 
the water before us — I seem to see it; and the agitation 
of my Mother was great, and no doubt the anxiety of my 
Father also. I think he turned to a different spot, but 
still there was water; the horses were whipped vigorously, 
they leaped ahead, there was a plunge, and lo, we were 
safe on the gravelly beach at Fenimore I 

Our Grandfather De Lancey came to make us a visit, 
and brought with him our dear Aunt Martha, then a 
young girl just growing up. She had been suffering from 
chills and fever, and came to Otsego County for change 
of air; she remained with us a year, and I remember her 
on several occasions. 

The chief ornament of the little parlor at "Feni- 
more" was a portrait of my Grandfather De Lancey; 
when my Mother consented to remove so far from her 
own family, and make a new home in the wilds of Otsego, 
my Father had the portrait painted for her, to cheer and 
comfort her; it was painted by Jarvis, and was an ad- 
mirable likeness. One day a neighboring farmer came to 
the house on business. He noticed the portrait, got up, 
stood before it, and studied it closely. "That 'ere pictur' 
is wonderful like !" he exclaimed. My mother was sur- 
prised: "Did you know my Father'?" she asked. "No, I 
never saw him — but it's wonderful like a tnanr Absurd 
as it was, the praise was just; one sees that the portrait 



12 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

must have been a good likeness, it has so much individual 
character. The picture now hangs in our cottage parlor 
in River Street; my dear Mother gave it to me, as the 
eldest granddaughter. She also told me the farmer's 
criticism, which of course I should not have understood 
if I had heard it. 

Your Grandfather had a sheep farm, on the hill above 
Fenimore. He called it Mt. Ovis, and was very proud of 
some merino sheep he had introduced into the County. 
There was a fierce old ram, called "Sinbad," of whose 
horns I was very much afraid. He was afterwards 
drowned in the well I 

Your Grandfather was Secretary of the County Agri- 
cultural Society in those days. He was also a vestryman 
of Christ Church at that time, and was one of a Com- 
mittee who cleared and fenced the Church-yard. I have 
heard him say that my Uncle Isaac had better taste than 
himself at that time, for he proposed cutting down all 
the young pines in the yard ; my Uncle would not hear of 
it, and now the pines have grown into the fine trees which 
shade our Church-yard. Father Nash was Rector of the 
Church at that time. Your Grandfather was also in those 
years Secretary of the Otsego County Bible Society, 
General Morris being the President. 

Occasionally I was taken to the Hall to see my 
Grandmother. I have a dim recollection of her sitting 
near a little table, at the end of the long sofa seen in her 
picture, with a book on the table. She always wore sleeves 
to the elbow, or a little below, with long gloves. She took 
great delight in flowers, and the south end of the long 
hall was like a greenhouse in her time. She was a great 
reader of romances. She was a marvellous housekeeper, 
and beautifully nice and neat in all her arrangements. 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 13 

Her flower garden was at the South of the house, and 
was considered something wonderful for the variety of 
flowers. There is a delicate little vine, called the Alle- 
ghany vine, Adlumia, growing in our hills; this was a 
favorite of hers. 

The old negro seen in the picture of the Hall was an 
important personage in the family; he lived with my 
grandparents twenty years; his name was Joseph, but 
my Uncles often called him "the Governor." As you 
know, he is buried in the family ground. His wife Harris 
married again after his death, and lies in the Church- 
yard, near the front fence. My Grandfather gave her a 
house and lot, on what is now Pine Street. Having no 
children, she left that house to John Nelson. Harris 
lived, after my Grandfather's death, with the Russells. 

The only one of my Uncles of whom I have any recol- 
lection was my Uncle Isaac. I remember him distinctly 
on one occasion, when he was dining at the farm-house; 
he took me up in his arms and wanted me to kiss him ; but 
I was shy about it. "This young lady does not kiss 
gentlemen!" said your grandfather laughing. I seem to 
hear him say the words now, and I also recollect wonder- 
ing in an infantile way what was their meaning. This is 
my only recollection of my Uncle Isaac. My Mother was 
much attached to him; he was very warm-hearted and 
affectionate, and very benevolent. On one occasion when 
your Grandfather was in the Navy, he came home on a 
furlough, and my Uncle Isaac gave a grand family dinner 
on the occasion. Your Grandfather would seem to have 
been something of a dandy in those days; he sported a 
queue; would you, would you believe it I Some of the 
young naval officers at that time followed the fashion of 
Napoleon and Nelson, and sported that appendage. 



14 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Judge of the excitement caused in the family and in the 
village by the midshipman's pig-tail I He soon threw it 
aside. But my Uncle Isaac by a successful manoeuvre got 
possession of it, on the day of the dinner party, and when 
the family assembled about the table, there, suspended 
to the chandelier, was the young gentleman's pig-tail ! 
My Aunt Pomeroy told me the incident. He was paying 
a visit, with my Aunt Mary, to General Morris' family 
at the Butternuts, and one day after dinner was wrestling 
in fun with his brother-in-law Richard Morris, when he 
was thrown with some force against the railing of the 
piazza, injuring his spine. He lingered for a year or more, 
but abscesses formed, and he died at last of exhaustion. 

My Mother always spoke kindly of her brothers-in- 
law. My Uncle William was wonderfully clever, quite 
a genius, a delightful talker, very witty. My Uncle 
Richard was a handsome man with remarkably fine man- 
ners ; my Grandfather De Lancey, who had seen the best 
society in England, said he was "a very well bred man." 
He was very intimate with Mr. Gouldsborough Banyer, 
and named his eldest son after him. My Uncle Sam was 
clever, but undersized and eccentric. My Mother has 
often said they were all fine tempered men. 

My little sister Cally was my playfellow in those 
days, though she was still a baby, not yet two years old. 
Our education began, however, in the little parlor at 
Fenimore; we used to sit on two little stools near our 
Mother; I learned to read in a primer, and to sew; Cally, 
I fancy, was considered too young for the primer, and 
her sewing was done with a thread tied to a pin. She was 
born at Fenimore, and was a pretty little child, with 
auburn hair which curled on her neck. When we had 
finished our hour of school we followed our Mother into 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 15 

the pantry, and each holding up our little apron — I beg 
Nanny's pardon, our ''pinafores''' — we were rewarded 
with a few raisins, or ginger bread, or perhaps a bit of 
maple sugar. Nanny and my Grandmother always spoke 
of our "pinafores," but my Mother called them aprons. 
Occasionally, though rarely, I fancy, our Father went 
to Albany on business. Journeys were formidable affairs 
in those days. On one occasion when he returned he 
brought, as usual, presents for us children. What was 
Cally's present I cannot say. But my own made a very 
deep impression on me; there were four bits of some 
bright colored stuff like merino, for as many dresses for 
my small person — a yard of each, I suppose — blue, buff, 
red, and pink. I marched about the room hugging them 
tight, or showing them off. Suddenly my Father called 
me; I trotted up to him, holding my treasures: "Now, 
Susie, you have four dresses here; don't you think you 
had better give one to Nannie?" I had no objection; and 
after spreading them on the floor picked up the buff one, 
and trotted off with it to Nannie, who was in the room. 
"That is very well; now suppose you give this red one to 
Susan?" Susan Disbrow was also present; I picked up 
the red one, and carried it to Susan. "Now don't you 
think you had better give me this blue one, for Grand- 
mother? she will like a blue dress." Somewhat less cheer- 
fully, I handed the blue dress to my Father, for Grand- 
mother. "That is all right — Grandmother will like a blue 
frock — but here is the pink one; I think Nanny looks as 
if she would like a pink frock too." In a small agony I 
picked up the favorite, precious pink one, and carried it 
to Nanny, then burst into tears, exclaiming, "O/^, Father^ 
you will kill 771 c!" I remember perfectly saying the words, 
and the feeling that I loved Nanny so much that she 



i6 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

must have the dress, though at the same time it was agony 
to give up that beautiful pink one. I am afraid I had a 
great liking for finery in those days. But after the trial 
was over, I was nearly hugged to death; our Father 
thought nothing of giving a score of kisses at one time. 

There was a romantic mystery hanging over the Lake 
at that time — a mysterious bugle was heard in the sum- 
mer evenings and moonlight nights, now from the Lake, 
now from the wooded mountain opposite "Fenimore." 
"There is the bugle I" my Father would call out, and all 
the family would collect on the little piazza to listen. I 
remember hearing the bugle frequently, and being aware, 
in a baby fashion, of the excitement on the subject. No 
one knew the performer. It was some mysterious stranger 
haunting the mountain opposite Fenimore, for several 
months. So my Aunt Pomeroy told me in later years. 

My Father played the flute, in those days! His flute 
remained among the family possessions for some years. 

My Aunt Martha used to ride frequently with my 
Father; she was considered a very good horsewoman in 
her youth. Nevertheless I remember her being thrown 
from one of the grey ponies in the grounds at Fenimore; 
there was great agitation at the moment; my Mother, 
Nanny, and the whole family gathered about her; I 
remember being much distressed on the occasion. But 
there was no serious injury. My Aunt Martha was very 
handsome in her youth, with a brilliant complexion, fine 
dark eyes, and fine hair of a raven black. My Father was 
fond of her and always called her "Pink" or "Pinkie." 
To the last months of his life he called her "Pink." 

My Mother had been a great horsewoman too; she told 
me that my Grandfather used to take her out riding on a 
pillow, before him, when she was a little thing. She rode 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 17 

with my Father before her marriage, and after. She told 
me they had ridden together, at different times, after her 
marriage over many of the wood roads of the neighbor- 
hood, and had been on Mt. Vision repeatedly, on horse- 
back. 

There is a brook running into the Lake, just above the 
grounds at Fenimore; there was a pretty grove of young 
trees covering a small space of ground reaching to the 
pebbly beach of the Lake. Here there was a small enclos- 
ure, and within it lay the grave of our little sister Eliza- 
beth. I remember going there with my Mother, and also 
with my Father. That enclosure was intended for the 
family burying-ground. It was a general custom in those 
days, though a very unwise one, for all families living in 
the open country to have private places of burial on their 
own ground. It was singular that my Father should have 
thought it necessary to place my little sister's grave at 
"Fenimore," and not in the Churchyard, in the family 
ground where his Father, and his sister Hannah, whom 
we had loved so much, were already placed. But he fol- 
lowed the general custom. When he sold Fenimore, some 
years later, our little sister was removed to the Church- 
yard, where she now lies. She died at the hdUse of my 
Aunt Pomeroy, soon after our arrival from Mamaro- 
neck, in 1813, when I was an infant. Her illness was 
caused by some over-ripe strawberries given to her at 
Cherry Valley on the journey. I have heard that my 
Father felt her death very deeply. 

There were two Englishmen among the many Euro- 
pean residents in the village in those days, with whom 
your Grandfather was quite intimate — Mr. Edmeston 
and Mr. Atchison, both intelligent educated men from 
the North of England. I have no recollection of them at 



i8 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Fenimore, but they were frequent guests there. Mr. Ed- 
meston was a man of property — he built a house on the 
comer of what are now Church and Fair Streets, where 
he and Mr. Atchison kept bachelor's hall together. The 
house could boast the first bow-window seen in these 
regions. It has just been pulled down — 1883. 

Family Lake parties were frequent in those days ; they 
always went to the Point, which your Great-Grandfather 
had selected for that purpose only a few years after the 
village was founded. My Aunt Pomeroy has told me 
that the first Lake party she remembered took place when 
she was quite a young girl ; the Lake was almost entirely 
surrounded with forest. Game was still abundant, and on 
that occasion the gentlemen of the party pursued and 
killed a deer in the Lake. Bears and wolves were common 
then, and panthers also. The bears would lie dormant in 
the caves on the hillsides. And my Aunt said she had 
often heard the wolves howl on the ice in the Lake, in 
winter. The first Lake Party was given by my Grand- 
father to some friends from Philadelphia. A beech-tree 
was chosen, on the Point, and the initials of the party 
carved on it. I have seen the tree, and the initials of my 
Grandfather and Grandmother, W-C. and E-C, cut in 
the bark. But it has long since vanished. About the same 
time that the first Lake party took place there was a 
terrific fire in the forest; my Aunt said there was a circle 
of flames entirely surrounding the Lake, and apparently 
closing in about the village to the southward, as the 
woods came very near the little town at that time. There 
was serious alarm for a day or two. At night she said the 
spectacle was very fine. But everybody was anxious. 
Happily a heavy rain quenched the flames before they 
reached the little village. In winter there was a great 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 19 

deal of skating. My Uncle Richard and my Uncle Wil- 
liam were particularly accomplished in that way, very 
graceful in their movements, and cutting very intricate 
figures on the ice. So I have been told. 

My Father was fond of boating on the Lake, as may 
be supposed, and often rowed my Mother out from the 
little wharf at Fenimore — they two alone together. 

A tragical scene occurred in the nursery one day; my 
little sister Cally was left in the charge of a careless 
young nurse, who must have neglected her shamefully; 
she rolled off the bed on which she had been sleeping, and 
broke her collar bone ! Great was the agitation. Sam 
Brimmer was sent off in desperate haste for the Dr.; the 
little bone was set, and the careless nurse discharged on 
the spot. I do not think my dear Mother ever really for- 
gave that young woman; she spoke of her with great 
severity many years after the accident. 

About half-way between Fenimore and the village 
there lived a certain Methodist deacon, who aimed a 
deadly blow at the peace of our household about this time. 
He lived in the house now occupied by the Orphanage. 
It was then the only house on that road between Feni- 
more and Mr. Campbell's, where Mrs. Turner now lives. 
Our dear Nanny was a Methodist. The Deacon suc- 
ceeded in convincing himself that Mrs. Disbrow was 
throwing herself away, by her care of Mrs. Cooper's 
children; higher duties awaited her, in his opinion. There 
was a certain Methodist brother in danger of being lost 
to the Church ; he was a widower, and a good Methodist 
wife must be provided for him without delay. Sister Dis- 
brow must be that wife. How long this worthy busy-body 
was occupied with this nefarious plot against our peace I 
cannot say. He seems to have gone very skillfully to 



20 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

work, acting upon poor dear Nanny's religious notions; 
at first she would not hear of the plan; but he, and his 
family, and other Methodist brethren, by constantly 
urging upon Nanny the sublime duty of bringing Brother 
Bloss back into the fold, succeeded at length in obtaining 
her consent. Alas for our poor Mother, when Nanny told 
her she felt it her duty to marry Brother Bloss ! I So our 
dear sweet Nanny left us, to become the wife of Farmer 
Bloss, at Burlington Green, the father of half a dozen 
grown-up children. They were respectable people, but a 
very rough set; our dear gentle Nanny was thrown away 
among them. She had to work much harder than she had 
ever done before, without a tithe of the real affection and 
love which had been given to her at Heathcote Hill and 
Fenimore. Her daughter Susan went with her, of course. 

Our poor Mother was desolate I It was extremely 
difficult to find even nominal substitutes for Nanny and 
Susan. Servants were then even more difficult to find than 
they are to-day. My Father comforted her with the 
promise of a long visit to her home at Heathcote Hill. 

One beautiful morning in May, our good cousin Mrs. 
Dering from Shelter Island, who had come to spend a 
month or two with our Mother, took Cally and me to 
play in the pine grove on the opposite side of the road 
from the farm-house. I remember the grove, and the 
flowers, and the red wintergreen berries, as if it were 
yesterday. After a while there came a message from the 
house : we were told that we had a little sister I We trotted 
home, much excited at the news, and were soon introduced 
to baby Charlotte. To speak frankly, I was amazed at her 
small size, and her redness. It seemed to me I had never 
seen anything so red before. I am also bound to confess 
that she cried a great deal. They say that babies who cry 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 21 

during the first three months are the most cheerful after- 
wards. That was certainly the case with Aunt Charlotte, 
who has done a great deal of laughing since those days — 
often so merry, and bright, and cheery, as you all know. 

My next recollection is the christening of the baby in 
Christ Church by Father Nash, who had also baptized 
Cally and myself. She was named after my Mother's 
English sister, Anne Charlotte. Anne was after our 
Great Aunt Mrs. Jones, and Charlotte after Queen 
Charlotte I This English sister our Mother had never 
seen at that time. My Grandfather and Grandmother 
De Lancey, though both Americans, were married in 
England, and when they returned to America they left 
their daughter Anne with her Aunt and Uncle Jones; 
she inherited their Tory prejudices so strongly that she 
could never be persuaded to join her family in America. 

After the christening there must have been a busy time 
of preparation for the journey to Mamaroneck. But of 
this I remember nothing. Soon we were taken to say 
good-bye to our Grandmother Cooper; I have a dim 
recollection of her appearance, as she sat in the hall, with 
a little table near her. Then came the leave taking at 
Edgewater; we were all in the rasee^ my Father driving 
the grey ponies ; the most important member of the fam- 
ily. Baby Charlotte, lay on a pillow, in a basket at our 
Mother's feet. I remember distinctly driving into the 
grounds at Edgewater and seeing my Uncle Isaac, Aunt 
Mary, and a group of cousins rather older than myself 
bidding us good-bye. 

Then came the long climb up the Vision road. At the 
top of the hill some wild roses caught my fancy; my 
Father stopped the carriage, and gathered a large hand- 
ful of the flowers, and gave them to us. 



22 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 

It was many a long year before we saw the wild roses 
of Otsego again. 

One little incident I remember distinctly, but omitted 
to record it in its place. On the morning before we left 
our Fenimore home, my dear Father took me by the hand 
and led me through the grounds, across the brook, into 
the inclosure where lay the grave of my little sister 
Elizabeth. He stood there in silence a few moments, and 
then led me back again. I cannot remember his having 
spoken a word at the time. 



11. HEATHCOTE HILL 

THE three days' journey to Albany is a blank, 
so far as my memory goes. I only remember the 
baby in the basket. 

But the very important event of going down the North 
River in the steamboat I recollect distinctly. I am in- 
clined to think it was my dear Mother's first experience 
of a steamboat. She had been four years at Fenimore; 
and I know that her first journey, when she was a bride, 
was made in a gig, my Father driving the horses tandem. 
What route they took I never heard, but my Mother 
has told me they travelled over a good deal of corduroy 
road. Her second journey to Cooperstown, with my little 
sister Elizabeth and myself as babies, was made in the 
rasee. I seem to have a sort of faint perception of a feel- 
ing of subdued excitement among the party in the steam- 
boat. My Father came into the cabin often to point out 
to my Mother the villages and country houses on the 
banks. One of .the gentlemen, whose wife was in the 
cabin, came every few moments to a window, and called 
to her: "/ sayP'' It was natural to my inexperienced mind 
to suppose that "7 say" was the lady's name. I seem to 
hear him now calling out "/ say^'' ever)^ few minutes. 

Voyage, passing through the great city of New York, 
the half day's journey to Mamaroneck, is all a blank. 
Memory only awakens again in the parlor at Heathcote 
Hill, where Grandparents, uncles and Aunts, and serv- 
ants were all making us welcome, after the formidable 



24 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

journey from the wilds of Otsego to the shores of the 
Sound. We passed some months with my Grandparents, 
My Father, however, returned to Fenimore after a while 
to look after his affairs there. The stone house was still 
going on, and it was expected that we should return there. 
That was a pleasant summer for us little people, and 
still more so, no doubt, to our dear Mother. Our young 
Aunts petted us, and our Grandfather took us out very 
often to drive with him, over his farms or about the 
country. Many little memories revive, as I think of him. 
Gaily was still in the nursery, but I was promoted to a 
high chair, near my Grandfather. I well remember his 
breaking the shells of the oysters, and giving me the 
oyster itself, for my breakfast. The family lived and 
dined in the same room. There were several dark-skinned 
servants in the house — slaves, I fancy, they must have 
been at that date, but enjoying life in a very free and 
easy way. There was a fat black woman as cook in the 
kitchen, Harriet her daughter as chambermaid, Henry 
her son the man, a colored child or two, and one white 
woman, a sort of factotum, Betsy Baker. The house stood 
on the brow of a low hill, immediately above the highway 
to Boston, and facing a broad bay of the Sound. The 
view was very pleasing when the tide was in, but dismal 
at low tide, when a waste of black mud covered half the 
bay. There was no attempt at pleasure grounds, beyond 
a row of locusts along the fence, and some noble weeping- 
willows in different positions. Cherry-trees, and peach- 
trees, apricots, and nectarines were planted near the 
house, the front porch on either side being flanked with 
the largest peach tree I have ever seen. From the covered 
porch in the rear of the house one road swept down the 
hillside to what was called ''the red gate,'' leading 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 25 

towards the village of Mamaroneck, close at hand; an- 
other road made a wide circuit around the hill to the 
southward, and came out on the highway at "the white 
gate," through which one passed towards my Grand- 
father's farm on "the Neck" and the village of New- 
Rochelle. 

I was well acquainted with "the red gate" and "the 
white gate," as I often had the pleasure of opening them 
for my Grandfather, when driving in the gig with him. 
The only flowering shrubs I can remember were lilacs 
and syringas, near the house. The bams, a large cluster 
of them, stood at some distance from the house to the 
right, and in the rear. The garden lay also in the rear, 
at some little distance; I fancy it must have been a fine 
garden, well cared for, with a great variety of fruit and 
vegetables. Beyond the garden rose another low hill; on 
climbing it one came to the cider-mill and the peach- 
orchard^ a very large orchard filled entirely with peaches, 
which sometimes covered the ground about the trees, and 
were fed to the hogs! Pork which had partaken amply of 
peaches was considered very delicate. Then again there 
were apple-orchards, \e.vy extensive, with the finest kinds 
of fruit. And beyond all these orchards there rose a 
beautiful wood, the remains of the ancient forest; within 
its shade there was an open enclosure, the family burying- 
ground, surrounded by a low stone wall; I have often 
been there. At that time there were but few graves. One 
was that of my Grandfather's sister. Miss Susan De 
Lancey, who had died not long before our visit to Heath- 
cote Hill ; my Mother had been a great favorite with her. 
She was said to have been very clever, and very good; 
rather undersized, and some years older than my Grand- 
father, who was indeed the twentieth child ! Many of his 



26 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

brothers and sisters had died in infancy, and when he 
returned from England this sister was the only one living, 
and came to make her home with him. Another grave was 
that of my Mother's sister Maria Frances, who died not 
long before my Mother's marriage, to whom she was 
nearest in age. My Grandfather grieved greatly for her. 

Driving and riding were a part of every day's pleasure. 
My Aunt Martha must have been a great horsewoman, 
she was so often riding alone, or with young companions. 
Beside our two young Aunts there were three Uncles — 
our Uncle Thomas, older than our Mother, our Uncles 
Edward and William. Uncle Thomas was a lawyer in 
the office of Mr. Peter Jay Munro, in New York; Uncle 
Edward was always at home — he was to be the farmer 
of the family; Uncle William was at Yale College ex- 
pecting to become a clergyman. 

When my Grandfather was driving in his gig, with his 
little granddaughter Susie sitting in state beside him, that 
little damsel observed that the people who met them 
always took off their hats, a salutation which was re- 
turned by Mr. Dellansee, as these people called him. In 
those good old times even strangers bowed to each other 
when meeting on the highway. That was the universal 
custom about Mamaroneck. The pronunciation of the 
name De Lancey as Dellansec was also common then, 
and nearer perhaps to the true French pronunciation than 
our own fashion of placing the accent on the first syllable. 

When out in the gig we frequently met the Rector of 
the Church at Rye, the parish to which the family at 
Heathcote Hill then belonged, the Rev. Mr. Asgill, who 
had married our parents. The wedding had taken place 
on New-Year's day, 1811, in the drawing-room at 
Heathcote Hill. There was no one present but the fam- 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 27 

ily, including Miss Susan De Lancey, Nannie, my Uncle 
William Cooper, and all the servants. After the cere- 
mony, and before the supper, the bride and groom played 
a game of chess ! Strange to say, I always forgot to ask 
who won the game. The bride wore a soft sprigged Indian 
muslin dress, with a waist about three inches deep ! The 
Rev. Mr. Asgill was a curiosity. He had a peculiar nasal 
drawl in speaking, and his whole manner and utterances 
were peculiar. "Good morning - Mr. Dellansee — hm - 
ha — I hope Mrs. Dellansee - a — and - Mrs. Cooper - 
hm - hm — ha — a - and - the — ah — hm - ha - young 
ladies — and the - hm — ha - hm - little ladies - are — 
hm — ha — in good health." 

Such salutations on the highway have I often heard. 
In Church he must have been intolerable. On one occa- 
sion when we were present he went into the reading-desk, 
looked about him, fumbled in his pocket, looked towards 
the pew where his wife sat — "Hm — hm — ha — Mrs. 
Asgill, - hm - ha - hm, I have forgotten — hm — ha — my 
spectacles!" The good lady meekly arose, and took them 
into the chancel to him. Another Sunday as he was read- 
ing the most solemn part of the Litany, he inserted a 
new clause into the service, without changing the usual 
drawling snarl in which he read it: "In all — hm — ha — 
time — ha — of our tribulation — hm — ha — in all time of 
our prosperity - hm - ha — hm - Mr. Purdy's horses are 
loose — hm — ha," etc., etc. He frequently made im- 
promptu remarks during the prayers and sermon. The 
Church was like a great barn, with large square windows, 
no blinds or shades, and consequently Mr. Asgill could 
see what was going on among the waggons and horses 
collected every Sunday in the open space about the 
Church. In winter the Church was fearfully cold. When 



28 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

I went with my Mother or Grandmother it was my task 
to carry their foot-stove to the Sexton, who usually sat 
near the large box stove, and filled it for me. The Church 
was unpainted on the outside. 

After a while my Father returned from Otsego 
County. A new nurse was provided for us, Katie Ar- 
nault, a young girl from one of the Huguenot families in 
the neighborhood, of which there were many; Flandreau, 
Comel, Bonnet, etc., etc., were common names. One old 
woman, very aged indeed, was still something of a 
Frenchwoman; she had made me a little French cap, 
quilted like those worn in some parts of France by 
babies — it was preserved as a curiosity for many years, 
but has been lost in some of our wanderings. 

Mamaroneck was sadly troubled with chills and fever, 
said to have been first caused by damming up the Shel- 
drake, a small stream flowing into the bay — a factory 
had been built on the banks, and the water was used for 
its purpose. My Aunts and Uncles suffered severely 
from the fever; they were dosed with bark and port 
wine — ^great glassfuls — quinine not having been invented 
in those remote times. Happily for us, neither our Father 
or Mother ever had the fever. The factory was considered 
a great nuisance, as it brought many disreputable people 
into that primitive region. The small-pox appeared 
among the work people; our Father was very kind to 
the sick; he had many of the factory people vaccinated 
at his own expense. Little Cally and myself had been 
vaccinated in infancy — but my Father wished to have 
us inoculated also. Our Mother was distressed, but the 
experiment was tried; we were both inoculated — but 
without any result ; the virus dried up without producing 
the least semblance of a pock. 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 29 

Parties of emigrants used frequently to pass along 
the highway below the hill; on one occasion there was a 
formidable troop of them, men, women, and children, 
hungry, dusty, and weary. They seated themselves along 
the roadside for a rest ; my Grandmother sent them loads 
of provisions, with milk for the little ones, and a whole 
baking of some very nice biscuits of a peculiar kind, fresh 
from the oven. These poor people had only landed from 
the ship which brought them over the Ocean, a day or two 
earlier. After a rest by the roadside they passed on their 
way to some distant manufacturing town. 

One day as my Father was driving us he pointed out a 
neat, but very small house, just beyond the bridge over 
the Sheldrake. "That," said he, "is Closet Hall" It was 
the house in which our Father and Mother had made 
their first attempt at house keeping, the year after our 
little sister Elizabeth was bom. On account of its tiny 
size, my Father had given it the name of Closet Hall. 
They gave it up, and returned to Heathcote Hill a short 
time before I was born. 

Our next-door neighbor was Dr. Guy Carleton Bailey, 
the family physician. His wife was a Miss Grace Roose- 
velt. The families were very intimate, elders and children 
also; we little people were constantly playing together; 
the eldest boy, Roosevelt Bailey, was converted to the 
Church of Rome by his Aunt Mrs. Seaton, and is now 
His Grace the Archbishop of Baltimore! 

Another family with whom we were very intimate 
were the Jays at Rye. "Auntie Jay," as we called her, 
was a dear old lady; she was the widow of a blind man, 
the brother of Governor Jay. When he was a child he, 
and a sister near his own age, had the small-pox so 
severely that they both lost their sight. From that time 



30 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

their mother devoted herself especially to the care of 
those afflicted children ; she must have been a sensible and 
judicious woman, as one can imagine the mother of 
Governor Jay ought to have been. As they grew older 
they were carefully educated. The home of the family 
was in New York, but a country house was built espe- 
cially for them at Rye, a mile or two from Mamaroneck. 
Here they passed most of their time; and here, after the 
death of their parents, the blind brother and sister kept 
house together! Miss Jay was considered a good house- 
keeper; she went all about the house alone, and what is 
remarkable, she was very skillful with her needle! She 
could take a piece of linen, cut it out, and make up the 
garments herself. And Mr. Peter Jay also was very 
accomplished in his way; he had been taught cabinet 
making, and made very neat tables, book shelves, bureaus, 
etc., etc. He was also a farmer, walked all over the 
grounds and garden alone, and rode on horse-back into 
the different fields alone, letting down bars and opening 
gates himself. His senses of hearing and touch were very 
acute. He knew his friends when they came to see him, 
by their step, and by feeling their hands. I have heard 
my Father say that frequently they would try the experi- 
ment of misleading him ; one visitor standing near would 
say, "How do you do, Mr. Jay*?" and another would shake 
hands with him — but he always knew them apart, and 
would say "That is Cooper" — "That is Tom De Lancey." 
The blind brother and sister lived very happily together 
for many years. At last Miss Jay died. This was a very 
great affliction to her brother. After a while he told his 
friends that he was lonely, he wished to marry, and they 
must find a wife for him. This was no easy task. But at 
last a pleasant cheerful old maid. Miss Duyckinck, was 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 31 

persuaded to listen to these peculiar proposals. At first 
she was indignant; but on making the blind man's ac- 
quaintance found him so kind, and gentlemanly, and 
agreeable, that she consented. Before the marriage he 
begged to be allowed to feel her face^ that he might have 
some idea of his future wife's appearance I The marriage 
turned out very well ; they were a happy couple. I have 
no recollection of Mr. Jay, who died before we returned 
to Mamaroneck. But with "Auntie Jay" I was very 
intimate ; she was very fond of children, and our parents, 
or Grandfather, or aunts were constantly taking us over 
to see her. She lived very pleasantly in the house built for 
her husband, her niece Miss Effie Duyckinck living with 
her. "Auntie Jay" kept a supply of toys and sugarplums 
for her young friends, but I think we enjoyed her conver- 
sation more than the goodies, she was so bright and cheer- 
ful with us. We were often in her bedroom, and many a 
time have I climbed up on her bureau to look at a picture 
which was full of a mysterious attraction to us little folk; 
it was a sea piece, with two ships approaching a port ; one 
of these "Auntie Jay" asserted to be the ship which 
brought her the toys and sugarplums with which she 
supplied us. The name of the ship I have forgotten, but 
the diminutive figure of a man standing on the deck she 
introduced to us as "Geoffrey Norcross," the Captain. 
It would take me pages to tell all the wonderful things 
we heard about "Captain Geoffrey Norcross," and the 
countries where he found the toys and other treasures. 
We often drank tea with "Auntie Jay" ; there were sev- 
eral lovely old blacks in the kitchen, "Csesar," and 
"Venus," and "Lily," with whom we were on the most 
affectionate terms. 



32 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Our Grandfather frequently took us to a village with 
the peculiar name of "Sawpits" — now Port-Chester. 

We also went very frequently to New Rochelle, the 
home of the Huguenot colony. The Church at New 
Rochelle was a square stone building, with a roof run- 
ning up to a point — as plain as possible without and 
within. Most of the Huguenot families, like the De 
Lanceys, united with the Church of England : those who 
settled at New Rochelle were very devout; on Sunday 
mornings they used to go down to the shore of the Sound, 
and turning their faces Eastward, waft their prayers 
across the Atlantic towards the coast of France, whence 
Louis XIV. had driven them by his "Dragonnades." 
They would also rise very early — in the night, I think — 
and set out in parties to walk to the French Church in 
New York to attend the regular services there. 

Our Grandfather De Lancey must have been a charm- 
ing companion — he was very amusing with his grand- 
children, and told us many pleasant things, as he drove 
us about in his gig and farm-waggon. One immensely 
fat old farmer of Huguenot stock, named Gomel, he 
pointed out to me : "They say the old man has swallowed 
the hen and all her chickens; do you think that can be 
true, Susie?" A fine litter of young pigs appeared by the 
roadside; "Count them, Susie." — ^There were ten. — 
"Do you see that fat little rogue, the last one? if he had 
been born in England that pig would have gone to the 
clergyman I Every tenth pig and tenth chicken belongs 
to the clergyman, in England !" Such was my first lesson 
on tithes. And my dear Grandfather soon commenced my 
botanical education — being the eldest of the little troop, 
I often drove with him, in the gig, about his farms and 
into his woods, and it was my duty to jump out and open 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 33 

all the gates. In these drives he taught me to distinguish 
the different trees by their growth, and bark, and foliage — 
this was a beech, that an oak, here was an ash, yonder a 
tulip-tree. He would point out a tree and ask me to name 
it, going through a regular lesson in a very pleasant way. 
Such was the beginning of my Rural Hours ideas. 

Feeding the poultry was one of our pleasures — the 
barn-yard was full of feathered creatures in great flocks — 
hens, cocks, chickens of all sizes, geese, ducks, turkeys, 
peacocks, and guinea fowls. Our young Aunts were much 
interested in making caps, and tippets, and bands for 
trimming dresses, out of the choice feathers from the 
poultr}^-yard — white feathers, and dov/n from the geese 
and ducks, and bright ones from the peacocks and guinea 
fowls. Such was a young lady fashion of the hour. An- 
other fancy of the young ladies of that time, was making 
shoes! Or rather slippers for evening parties, prunelle, 
black, and white satin ! They bought the thin soles, and 
then cut out the upper part, and put them together with- 
out any assistance. They had lasts and tools for the pur- 
pose. All the young fashionable ladies in New York were 
much intent in making their own sandals, at that time — 
why or wherefore, I cannot say. Such sandals were worn 
in the streets of New York, by the ladies, even in mid- 
winter. They were worn even twenty years later — not 
made at home; that fashion must soon have vanished, I 
fancy. But American women at that date had a horror of 
thick soles; when we lived in New York we never saw 
ladies wearing a shoe with a sensible sole. They have 
better judgement now. 

A small absurdity occurs to me just now, in connection 
with the fashions, which I relate for the especial benefit 
of my nieces. White dresses were much worn in those 



34 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

years, with muslin puffs of some width around the skirts — 
two or three puffs often. Now my dear Mother had made 
for my little person a white dress, with two or three puffs 
of thin muslin, well starched. I have no doubt Cally had 
another of the same kind. To my own, however, I was 
fondly attached, admiring it greatly. One Sunday morn- 
ing I was dressed for Church in this choice puffed gar- 
ment and told to go down stairs to wait for my Mother 
and Aunts. I trotted down the first flight of steps from 
the broad lobby on which the rooms from the second floor 
opened. At the turn, at the head of the second broad 
flight, I paused. My dear Father, my Uncles Tom and 
Edward were standing in the hall below, looking over the 
guns, in the gun-rack which stood near the front door. I 
seem to see them now. My Uncles were great sportsmen, 
making havoc among the game birds of all kinds. My 
Uncle Tom chanced to turn to look at me: "Oh, Uncle 
Tom, don't come near me ! This is my puffed frock! T' 
How they laughed and made believe they wanted to 
catch me. I distinctly remember my feeling of surprise 
at their laughing so heartily; could they not understand 
that I had been told to take care of my puffs?' 

A very important event of those months we passed at 
Heathcote Hill was the performance of a play, which I 
remember perfectly. My Father was the manager; 
Love-a-la-Mode was the play. The characters were Sir 
Theodore Goodchild; Sir Archie Macsarcasfn; Sir Cal- 
laghan O'Brallaghan; 'Squire Groom; and Charlotte. 
The performers were my Father, my Uncles, Dr. Bailey, 
and my Aunt Caroline. If I remember right, my Father 
took the part of Sir Callaghan. My Aunt Caroline was 
remarkably pretty in those days, a brilliant brunette. 
The performance took place in the dining-room, the green 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 35 

crumb-cloth being promoted to a stage curtain. The audi- 
ence consisted of the family, Mrs, Bailey, and a boy or 
two, with the servants in the door-way. The pantry was 
the green room. Great was my amazement at seeing my 
Father and Dr. Bailey with white powdered heads ! I sat 
on a little chair next to my Grandfather, in a great state 
of excitement. There was laughing, and clapping of 
hands, and criticism, and a great deal of joking after- 
wards. 

We had not been long at Mamaroneck when a change 
in the family plans took place. Instead of returning to 
Cooperstown after a six months' visit, it was decided that 
my Father should build a country-house on a farm that 
was destined for my Mother by my Grandfather. This 
farm was on a hill in Scarsdale, four miles from Mamaro- 
neck. The question once decided, my Father went to work 
with his usual eagerness, and in a few months the house 
was built, and we took possession. The farm was called 
Angevine, the name of the Huguenot tenants who had 
preceded us. The view from the hill was fine, including a 
long stretch of the Sound, and Long Island beyond. The 
house consisted of a centre and two wings; one of these 
was the common sitting room, the other was the "draw- 
ing-room." Little did my dear Father foresee, when he 
planned and built that room, that within its walls he 
should write a book, and become an author! In general 
his thoughts seem to have turned upon ships, and the sea, 
and farming, and landscape gardening. I can remember 
trotting around after him while he was planning a sweep, 
and a ha-ha fence — a novelty in those days. He set out 
many trees. 

During the winter after we had taken possession there 
was a grand house-warming party. As I look back the 



36 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

rooms seem to me to have been crowded with gaily- 
dressed ladies and their cavaliers. I particularly remem- 
ber my Aunt Caroline wearing a pink silk spencer, and 
dancing. And this was the only occasion on which I ever 
saw my Father dance. 

There were daily drives to Mamaroneck, where all the 
marketing was done. The drive was a pleasant one. 
There was, however, a tragical spot on the bank of the 
Sheldrake, not far from Mamaroneck, which had been 
pointed out to us children. Some years earlier, not long 
before my Mother's marriage, there were two little girls, 
friends of my young Aunts, making a visit at Heathcote 
Hill; their name was Titford. The four little girls, my 
Aunts, and the two Titfords went out for a walk; they 
wandered to the bank of the Sheldrake, where they made 
their arrangements for fishing. In the excitement of their 
sport one of the Titford girls fell into the water, which 
was deep at that spot; she sank; her sister rushed into the 
river to save her, and sank also. Both were drowned ! My 
Aunts were several years younger; their cries drew people 
to the spot, but too late — life was extinct in both the 
young girls. This was a fearful blow to all at Heathcote 
Hill. My Grandmother never entirely recovered from 
the shock. The elder sister was an intimate friend of my 
Mother's; Miss Susan Titford afterwards married Mr. 
Lloyd Daubeny. 

My Father used to drive us to Church, either to Rye 
or to New Rochelle. One Sunday morning as he was 
driving my Mother and myself in the gig, to church, his 
favorite horse, "Bull-head," stumbled in going down the 
hill from Angevine, broke the shafts, and threw us all 
out. I remember distinctly finding myself on the horse's 
stomach, his legs kicking round me ; my Father picked me 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 37 

up; no one was injured, but I think "Bull-head" must 
have been sold soon after. We had another pair of black 
horses in those days, and the old rasee. Fred the black 
boy, who nominally belonged to my Mother, but received 
wages, deserted about that time. We had for assistant 
nurse, a young girl named Katie Conklin, who was bound 
to my parents ; she was the daughter of my Grandfather's 
farmer, on the Neck. 

My Father was much interested in Agricultural mat- 
ters in those days. He belonged to the Agricultural Soci- 
ety of the County, and I remember the making of a flag 
to be hoisted at the annual fair; there was a black plough^ 
and the words "West Chester Agricultural Society," in 
large black letters on the white ground, a joint effort of 
genius on the part of Father and Mother, while two 
little girls looked on in admiration. But our Father 
figured also as a military character at that time; Gover- 
nor Clinton made him his aide-de-camp, with the rank 
of Colonel, and more than once we little girls had the 
pleasure of admiring him in full uniform, blue and buif, 
cocked hat and sword, mounted on Bull-head before pro- 
ceeding to some review. He was thus transferred from the 
naval to the land service. To the last days of his life, Mr. 
James de Peyster Ogden, one of his New York friends, 
never omitted giving him his title of "Colonel." He thus 
became one of the numerous army of American Colonels, 
though not one of the ordinary type certainly. 

But he was also a Skipper, at that date. He had be- 
come interested in a whaling ship sailing from Sag Har- 
bor, his partner in this venture being Mr. Charles 
Dering, who had married my Mother's cousin Miss 
Elizabeth Nicoll of Shelter Island. On several occasions 
he took command of the TJnion^ as she passed to and fro ; 



38 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

this venture was, I believe, fairly successful. When the 
Union came into port at Boston, he joined Mr. Dering 
there, and on his return brought me a magnificent wax 
doll, a magnificent creature, nearly as large as a live 
baby ! 

He always read a great deal, in a desultory way. 
Military works, travels. Biographies, History — and 
novels I He frequently read aloud at that time to my 
Mother, in the quiet evenings at Angevine. Of course 
the books were all English. A ' new novel had been 
brought from England in the last monthly packet; it was, 
I think, one of Mrs. Opie's, or one of that school. My 
Mother was not well; she was lying on the sofa, and he 
was reading this newly imported novel to her; it must 
have been very trashy; after a chapter or two he threw it 
aside, exclaiming, "7 could write you a better book than 
that myself!'''' Our Mother laughed at the idea, as the 
height of absurdity — he who disliked writing even a 
letter, that he should write a book I ! He persisted in his 
declaration, however, and almost immediately wrote the 
first pages of a tale, not yet named, the scene laid in 
England, as a matter of course. He soon became inter- 
ested and amused with the undertaking, drew a regular 
plot, talked over the details with our Mother, and re- 
solved to imitate the tone and character of an English 
tale of the ordinary type. After a few chapters were 
written he would have thrown it aside, but our dear 
Mother encouraged him to persevere; why not finish it, 
why not print it? This last idea amused him greatly. He 
usually wrote in the drawing-room, and after finishing 
a chapter always brought my Mother in to hear it. One 
day he left the room; the door was open, and I went in, 
and retired under the writing-table, which was covered 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 39 

with a cloth, for a play with my doll. Father and Mother 
came in together. I went on playing quietly with my doll. 
The reading of a chapter of Precaution began. This inter- 
ested me greatly; it was Chapter — . Suddenly I burst 

into tears, and sobbed aloud over the woes of . 

Father and Mother were amazed; I was withdrawn from 
my tent, but they could not imagine what had distressed 
me. On one of his visits to New York, in those days, my 
Father bought a large green port-folio for himself, and a 
red one for my Mother. The red one is now among my 
papers, in a dilapidated condition. 

When Precaution was completed we set out for a visit 
to Bedford, for the especial purpose of reading the MS. 
to the Jay family. My Mother wished the book to be 
printed, my Father had some doubts on the subject, and 
at last it was decided that if his friends the Jays listened 
with interest to the reading, the printing should take 
place; Mrs. Banyer's taste and judgment were considered 
of especial importance in deciding a literary question. We 
made the little journey in the gig; Father, Mother, Susie, 
and Precaution. For my part, I greatly enjoyed the visit, 
playing with Anna and Maria Jay. The reading went 
on in the parlor, while we little people were in the 
nursery. Governor Jay, venerable in appearance as in 
character, was one of the audience. With his grandchil- 
dren I used to go up and kiss him for good-night, every 
evening. The audience approved, although only one or 
two of them knew the secret of the authorship; the MS. 
was supposed to be written by a friend of my Father. 
There was a Miss McDonald, a friend of the Jays stay- 
ing with them at the time; she declared the book quite 
interesting, but it was not new; "I am sure I have read 
it before," she declared — this the author considered as a 



40 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

complimentary remark, as he aimed at close imitation of 
the Opie School of English novels. Bedford was at that 
time a delightful house to visit at; child as I was, it made 
this impression on me. My Father and Judge Jay were 
always very intimate; they had been school boys together. 
Mrs. Banyer was also a warm friend of my parents. Her 
husband, Mr. Gouldsborough Banyer, had been an inti- 
mate friend of my Uncle Richard Cooper; Mrs. Ban- 
yer's wedding trip was to Cooperstown, and she always 
spoke with pleasure and interest of her visit to the old 
Hall; the view of the Lake she declared to be lovely 
from the house at that time. 

When Precaution was published some months later, it 
was generally supposed to have been written in England, 
and by a lady. Many persons thought it was written by 
Miss Anne De Lancey, my Mother's sister, who after- 
wards married Mr. John Loudon McAdam, the great 
engineer of roads. This sister my Mother had never seen I 
When my grandparents returned to America after the 
Revolution, their eldest child was left in England with 
her Uncle and Aunt, Judge and Mrs. Jones; Judge Jones 
was the brother of my grandmother; he took the name of 

Jones from ; he was born a Floyd. Mrs. Jones 

was my grandfather's sister, Miss Anne De Lancey. 
They were both great Tories, and could not be induced 
to return to America, and begged that their little niece 
might be left with them for a time at least. So the child 
was left with them, and my grandparents sailed with 
their little boy Thomas, and his nurse, "Nanny" — our 
dear old Nanny of later days. My Grandfather consid- 
ered himself an American, not an Englishman, and now 
that the war was over decided to cast in his lot with his 
native country. They lived in New York for a time, at 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 41 

the City Hotel, which belonged to my Grandfather. 
When we were living in the Rue St. Dominique at Paris, 
one of our opposite neighbors was the due de Valmy, 
Gen. Kellemian; he one day asked my Father if he had 
ever known a Madame de Lance, in New York, remark- 
ing that he had spent some time at the City Hotel, and 
there became acquainted with M. and Mme. de Lance; 
the lady he said was one of the most beautiful women he 
had ever seen. My Aunt Anne grew up a fierce Tory, 
and after the death of her Uncle and Aunt Jones, could 
never be induced to come to America, which was a great 
grief to my grandparents. She was now credited with 
writing Precaution, a book, it was said, clearly written 
in England, and by a woman I 

Another little daughter now made her appearance at 
Angevine. She was named by my Grandmother De 
Lancey, Maria Frances, after my mother's sister who had 
died some years earlier. My Father for two or three years 
called her Velvet, because her skin was so soft. She was 
baptized by the Rev. Revaud Kearney, a cousin of our 
Mother's, at that time Rector of New Rochelle. 

One day when Fanny was about a year old there was a 
great alarm about little Charlotte. The child had dis- 
appeared ! Could no where be found ! In those days chil- 
dren were not stolen, as they are in these civilized times, 
but it was feared some accident had happened to her. 
Every corner about the house and outbuildings was 
closely searched, messengers were despatched to the two 
or three houses in the neighborhood, the agitation was 
very great. At last I had the joy of discovering my little 
sister; a flock of sheep had passed on the highway, and 
had been driven about three quarters of a mile down the 
hill, on the road to Mamaroneck; they could plainly be 



42 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

seen from the piazza — and there, trotting along behind 
the sheep, was a small figure which I knew must be the 
missing sister. The eloping damsel was soon pursued, and 
brought home in our Father's arms, bare-headed and 
dusty; she wanted ''to see Grandma^'' and intended trot- 
ting all the way to Mamaroneck. Great was our Mother's 
joy when little Charley was placed in her arms. 

Precaution having been quite as successful as he ex- 
pected, the writer now planned another book. It was to 
be thoroughly American, the scene laid in West Chester 
County, during the Revolution. An anecdote which Gov- 
ernor Jay had told him relating to a spy, who performed 
his dangerous services out of pure patriotism, was the 
foundation of the new book. 

My Father never knew the name of the Spy; Gover- 
nor Jay felt himself bound to secrecy on that point. But 
he never for a moment believed that Enoch Crosby was 
the man. Various individuals, twenty years later, claimed 
to have been the original Harvey Birch. One man even 
asserts that Mr. Cooper used to visit at his house fre- 
quently, for the purpose of hearing his adventures and 
then writing them out in The Spy. This is utterly false. 
From only one person did my Father ever receive any 
information connected with the life of the Spy who was 
the dim original of Harvey Birch, and that person was 
Governor Jay. The conversation on the piazza at Bed- 
ford relating to the patriot spy occurred a long time 
before my Father dreamed of writing a book. 

When he had fully made up his mind to write a novel 
entirely American, whose scene should be laid in West 
Chester during the Revolution, he amused himself by 
going among the old farmers of the neighborhood and 
hearing all the gossip of those old times, about the "Neu- 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 43 

tral Ground" on which we were then living, the ground 
between the English in New York, and American forces 
northward. Frequently he would invite some old farmer 
to pass the evening in the parlor at Angevine, and while 
drinking cider and eating hickory nuts, they would talk 
over the battle. of White Plains, and all the skirmishes 
of the Cow- Boys and Skinners. Many such evenings do 
I remember, as I sat on a little bench beside my Mother, 
while Uncle John Hatfield, or George Willis, or one of 
the Cornells related the stirring adventures of those days 
of the Revolution. There was a shallow cave in a rocky 
ledge on the road to Mamaroneck, where a Tory spy had 
been concealed, and was stealthily fed for some time. 
And on the road to New Rochelle there was a grove 
where a sharp skirmish had taken place; it was called the 
Haunted Wood — ghosts had been seen there! The cave 
and the grove were full of tragic interest to me, whenever 
we passed them. 

Every chapter of The Spy was read to my Mother as 
soon as it was written, and the details of the plot were 
talked over with her. From the first months of authorship 
to the last year of his life, my Father generally read what 
he wrote to my Mother. 

The Spy, when it appeared, was brilliantly successful. 
Never before had an American book attained anything 
like the same success. 

During those years at Angevine our education began. 
Our dear Mother was our Governess, and from time to 
time our Father examined us. We were "in school" two 
hours, the three elder ones, Susie, Cally, and Charley, 
sitting round our Mother in the parlor or dining-room, 
while the author and The Spy were occupying the draw- 
ing-room. Charley could read when she was three years 



44 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

old. There was spelling, and writing, and arithmetic, and 
geography, and Mrs. Trimmer's Bible Lessons, and the 
History of England. Well do I remember those school 
hours. Our precious Mother was so loving and patient 
with us. I seem to hear her sweet musical voice now as she 
talked with us. She had a remarkably sweet voice in con- 
versation; my friend Mrs. Hamilton Fish said to me 
one day years ago, 'T always thought that when novelists 
spoke of the musical voices of their heroines in conversa- 
tion it was pure romance, but Mrs. Cooper's voice is 
melody itself." Our dear Mother had taken the trouble 
to write out little cards as rewards for good conduct; 
Diligence^ Silence, I remember particularly, but there 
were others, for the different lessons. Sewing was also part 
of our education. The Kings of Israel and the Kings of 
Judah were a great trial to me; so many of them were 
wicked! "Is this one going to be wicked too"? I wish they 
would be good !" I remember saying this to my Mother, 
after reading of so many who "did evil in the sight of the 
Lord." What an expression that is, "doing evil in the 
sight of God"! The History of England was full of 
interest; it was Goldsmith's History, in four volumes, 
with portraits of some of the kings. Our dear Father was 
so proud of our progress in English History that on one 
occasion when his friend Mr. Acheson was staying at 
Angevine he invited him to examine us in Goldsmith; I 
fancy the result was satisfactory. As regards our sewing 
Cally and I must have been ambitious, for we were en- 
couraged to make a shirt for our Father ! Well do I re- 
member stitching the collar and wristbands; but I doubt 
if that shirt was ever finished. As a reward for this shirt- 
making Cally and I received a dollar, which we gave to 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 45 

Judge Jay for the Bible Society. Gentlemen's shirts were 
all made entirely of linen in those ancient times. 

On one occasion when our Father was driving us to 
Mamaroneck we were met by one of my Uncles, who 
called out as he stopped his horse, "Boney is dead I" — 
"Boney" being no less a personage than the Emperor 
Napoleon I. 

While we were living at Angevine my Mother lost her 
brother Edward. He died after a very short illness, of 
dysentery. Our kinsman Dr. Watts came from New 
York to attend him, but nothing could save him. My 
uncle Edward was to have been the farmer of the family. 
Uncle Thomas was a lawyer, Uncle William was study- 
ing for the ministry. I remember hearing the negroes in 
the kitchen at Heathcote Hill talking about "Massa 
Edward's ghost," which they professed to have seen walk- 
ing about the barn I 

Our dear kind Grandmother also died while we were 
at Angevine. A fearful blow this was to all the family, 
by whom she was fondly loved. She died of what would 
now be called typhoid fever. The treatment at that time 
was bleeding! 

There were two marriages in the family while we were 
at Angevine. My uncle Thomas married his second 
cousin Miss Mary Ellison of New Windsor, an Aunt 
to whom we became much attached in later years. Our 
uncle William after his ordination married Miss Frances 
Munro, the daughter of Mr. Peter Jay Munro; I well 
remember their wedding visit to Angevine. And I also 
remember going with my Mother to the Church at East 
Chester to hear my Uncle preach ; he was considered even 
then as a ven,^ good preacher. He was a great favorite 
with Bishop Hobart. 



46 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

One afternoon in September very dark clouds began 
to gather over the Sound, where we could see the vessels 
flying before the wind. We little people were all called 
into the house. A heavy storm was at hand. The windows 
were closed, but we could see the black clouds whirling 
about, and the trees bending and twisting under the fierce 
wind, while clouds of dust rose from the highway. Very 
soon the darkness increased, and shut us in so that nothing 
of our fine view of the country and Sound could be seen. 
The force of the wind increased terribly. The window- 
shutters and blinds were closed to protect the sashes, 
which it was feared might be blown in. Our dear Mother 
collected all of her little ones at her knee in the dining- 
room. Of course we did not understand the danger, but a 
feeling of wonder and awe came over us. Our Father 
came in, reporting the force of the wind as equalling the 
severest gale he had known at sea; he said, "While I was 
on the piazza just now I tried to fall to the ground, but 
the force of the wind held me up!" That was the storm 
spoken of years later as the ''September Gale.'' To-day 
it would have .been called a Cyclone. No serious damage 
was done at Angevine, but trees and fences were blown 
down, and not an outbuilding on the place remained firm 
on its foundation; barn, carriage-house, a large poultry 
house, and the corn-crib were all twisted some inches out 
of place. I remember going about with my Father the 
next day inspecting these buildings. Happily the house 
was uninjured. Many vessels were wrecked by this gale, 
which extended over a great extent of the country and the 
Ocean. The monthly Packet Ship from New York to 
Liverpool, the Albion, was lost, never heard of. Among 
other passengers in the Albion were Mr. and Mrs. Hyde 
Clarke, the eldest son of Mr. George Clarke, and his 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 47 

wife; they had been on a visit at Hyde, and were return- 
ing to England when they met their sad fate in the 
Albion. 

I do not remember the date of the "September Gale" 
and have no time to look for it. In these "Small Memo- 
ries," my dear nephews and nieces, you must please over- 
look the absence of dates — I have no time to hunt up the 
day and year of many of the events mentioned. A golden 
silence is better than inaccuracy. Please look for the dates 
yourselves. 

One pleasant September day Cally, Charley, and my- 
self were invited to spend the day at Heathcote Hill, 
where we enjoyed ourselves very much as usual. At dusk 
our Father came for us ; while we were being shawled in 
the dining-room, my Grandfather threw up the sash and 
called out, "How is Susan?" "Comfortable!" "And the 
baby?" "A boy I!!" — Here was a piece of news for us. 
We had a little brother for the first time, and were eager 
to make his acquaintance. Dear little fellow, he was a 
great pet among us as long as he lived. He was baptized 
by the Rev. Revaud Kearney, Rector of the Church at 
New Rochelle, a kinsman of our Mother's. My Father 
gave him the name of Fenimore — had he lived he would 
have been called James, or William. He was a large fine- 
looking baby, and a very generous little fellow; he gave 
away the best of everything he had. One day at dinner I 
remember Father's giving him some large strawberries; 
he got down from his little chair and trotted around the 
table, giving one of his strawberries to each member of 
the family. 

Meanwhile writing was going on. The printing would 
seem to have been a slower business than it is to-day. The 
new book was to give a picture of American life in a new 



48 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

settlement^ shortly after the Revolution, and the scene 
was laid at Cooperstown, on Lake Otsego. Some of the 
characters were drawn from real life, but the plot was 
purely fiction. Monsieur Le Quoi, Major Hartman, Ben 
Pump were actual colonists on Lake Otsego. Natty 
Bumppo was entirely original, with the exception of his 
leathern stockings^ which were worn by a very prosaic old 
hunter, of the name of Shipman, who brought game to 
the Hall. Mr. Grant was not Father Nash. 

Our Father went frequently to New York, sometimes 
by the Mamaroneck stage, sometimes in his gig, occa- 
sionally on horse back, and I can remember his walking 
the 25 miles occasionally, and coming home very tired. 
In order to be nearer printer and publisher, and to for- 
ward our education, it was now decided that we should 
remove to New York. A vision of Europe was also aris- 
ing. It is singular, but I have only one recollection of this 
important removal to New York — I remember WLrs. 
Mudge, the keeper of the toll-gate at Kingsbridge, over 
the Harlem River. Mrs. Mudge was an important per- 
sonage in those days, intimate with inmates of the impor- 
tant country houses in West Chester. 

The house your Grandfather had rented was one of 
two recently built by the Patroon, on Broadway, just 
above Prince Street. It was then almost "out of town." 
Directly opposite to us was a modest two-story house 
occupied by John Jacob Astor. Niblo's Gardens now 
occupies the site of the house in which we lived. Not far 
above us was a very grand "Gothic edifice," St. Thomas' 
Church, considered an architectural gem in those days! 
Next door to us was a Boarding School, one of the best 
in New York; the principal was Mrs. Isabella Holt. 
Here Cally and I became pupils. There were some very 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 49 

nice girls in tiie school — Miss Elizabeth Fish, Miss Rut- 
gers, Miss Morewood, all older than we were, and the 
Langdons, granddaughters of Mr. As tor, who were about 
our age. Here we sat with our feet in the stocks — here I 
became very intimate with the Kings of Egypt, and the 
great men of Greece. Here, if we were disorderly, or our 
nails were not properly cleaned, we were obliged to wear 
a real pig's-foot tied around our neck ! One tragic morn- 
ing Miss Morewood, the oldest girl, eighteen, and a per- 
fect pupil, left her work lying about, and was condemned 
to wear the pig's-foot! Mrs. Holt shed a tear, Miss 
Morewood wept, and I fancy we all cried — but stem 
justice was administered — the pig's-foot was worn by 
the model pupil ! These young ladies often were escorted 

from school by their beaux. Miss Rutgers, now Mrs. , 

and a grandmother, has been in Cooperstown lately. On 
one occasion I was told to write a composition on the dif- 
ference between the characters of Washington and Frank- 
lin — your Grandfather no sooner learned the subject 
allotted to me, than he took his hat, walked in to Mrs. 
Holt's, and remonstrated on the folly of giving such a 
task to a child of nine. That composition was never 
written. 

In those days your Grandfather saw frequently many 
officers of the army and navy. I remember on one occasion 
his bringing General Scott home to dinner, and my 
amazement at his great height — as he stood at the win- 
dow he looked out of the upper sash. Your Grandfather 
was also partial to the society of artists, all painters; 
there was no American sculptor in those days. Mr. Dun- 
lap and Mr. Cole, I remember especially. I remember 
being taken to see a picture of great size. Death on the 
White Horse, painted by Mr. Dunlap. It was about this 



50 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

time that my Father planned and founded a Club to 
which he gave the name of "The Lunch." It met every 
Thursday evening, I think at the house of Abigail Jones, 
a colored cook, famous at that day, who kept the Del- 
monico's of that date. Most of the prominent men of 
ability and character in New York belonged to the club, 
which also, through its members, invited strangers of dis- 
tinction. Conversation was the object; I do not think 
there was any card-playing. The evening closed with a 
good supper, one of the members being caterer every 
Thursday, while Abigail Jones carried out the pro- 
gramme to perfection in the way of cooking. Your Grand- 
father, when caterer, wore a gilt key at his buttonhole. 
He was very social in his tastes and habits, and full of 
spirited conversation, and delighted in these Lunch meet- 
ings. Officers of the Army and Navy, the prominent 
Clergy, Lawyers, Physicians, Merchants, etc., etc., be- 
longed to the Club. Bishop Hobart was a frequent guest. 
During that winter our Uncle Thomas' health failed; 
he removed to New York, and my Grandfather and 
Aunts passed the winter in town also. They rented a 
house belonging to Mrs. White, the mother of Mrs. 
Munro, near the Battery, in the lower part of Broadway, 
then the fashionable part of the town. My Uncle died 
of consumption, leaving a young widow and a baby son. 
In the following spring we moved to Beach Street, 
near Greenwich Street, to a house belonging to our 
Mother's cousin Henry Floyd Jones of Fort Neck. He 
and my father were very intimate. Several years before 
her marriage your Grandmother came near losing her life 
from this cousin's carelessness; he was staying at Heath- 
cote Hill, and taking up a gun — there were always sev- 
eral in the gun-rack in the hall — he aimed it at his cousin 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 51 

Susan, threatening to shoot her. The gun was loaded — 
he had believed it unloaded — the full charge of shot went 
into the wall, very near my Mother's head, as she stood 
within a few feet of her cousin. Cousin Henry was almost 
distracted at the thought of the risk she had run. It was 
a rule of my Grandfather's that every gun carried by the 
sportsmen should be discharged before it was brought into 
the house. But on that occasion the rule had been care- 
lessly broken. 

We had not been long settled in Beach Street when the 
yellow fever broke out in New York. Everybody who 
could left the city. Our father rented a country-house at 
Turtle Bay, several miles out of town at that day. It 
belonged to Mrs. Winthrop, a charming old lady. I re- 
member driving frequently down the Avenue to the dif- 
ferent shops, and the Post-Office, all of which had been 
moved out of town, into the many villas which lined the 
unpaved road. The fever was confined to the lower part 
of the city. A high board fence had been built, I think 
near Pearl Street, shutting off the infected district, which 
was entirely deserted. A young man of one of the promi- 
nent families — I forget which — thought he would take a 
look at the deserted region. He went to the fence, and, 
climbing up, looked over the deserted streets for a while. 
Within a few days he was taken ill with the fever and 
died. While we were at Turtle Bay our dear little brother 
Fenimore was taken ill from the effects of teething. As 
soon as the city was declared safe we returned to Beach 

Street. There Fenimore became rapidly worse, and in 

he died, to the great grief of our parents. 

While we were living in Beach Street your Grand- 
father became interested in a newspaper edited by his 
friend Colonel Gardenier, one of his military friends. 



52 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

It was The Patriot. My Father frequently wrote for it. 
At this time, with his usual generous kindness, your 
Grandfather interested himself warmly in behalf of the 
children of his brother William, who had died some 
years earlier. The two eldest, William and Eliza, were 
frequently with us. William, indeed, remained a member 
of our family until his death; your Grandfather took the 
entire charge of him. 

One day, as I was sitting near my Mother, your 
Grandfather came into the room, with the Cooperstown 
paper in his hand, and without speaking pointed out a 
passage to her, and then left the room. My dear Mother 
looked sad. It was the burning of the house at Fenimore 
which was reported in the Freeman's Journal. The stone 
house was very nearly finished, and was valued at $3500. 
There were many incendiary fires in Cooperstown at that 
time, all contrived, it was said, by one unprincipled man. 
Your Grandfather soon after sold the property at Feni- 
more. From that time the idea of a visit to Europe be- 
came more clearly defined. Your Grandfather always said 
he would not go to Europe without his wife and children. 
At that time it was unusual for American families to 
visit Europe. My dear Mother was rather alarmed at 
the idea, and wished for time to think the plan over — 
there was no intention, however, of going immediately; 
business matters required delay. Beach Street was very 
near St. John's Square; some of the pleasantest families 
in New York then lived on the Square; among others Mr. 
Charles Wilkes, with whom your Grandfather was 
intimate. 

. One day, at a dinner-party at Mr. Wilkes', the re- 
cently published novel "by the author of Waverley^'' 
The Pirate., was the subject of conversation. Several of 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 53 

the party insisted that the book could not have been 
written by a landsman. Your Grandfather thought dif- 
ferently, and declared that a sailor would have been more 
accurate, and made more of the nautical portions of the 
book. No one agreed with him; they thought that great 
skill had been shown by merely touching on the sea pas- 
sages ; to have enlarged them would have ruined the book : 
"Impossible to interest the reader deeply in a novel 
where the sea was introduced too freely." Your Grand- 
father declared that a novel where the principal events 
should pass on the Ocean, with ships and sailors for the 
machinery, might be made very interesting. There was a 
general outcry. Mr. Wilkes, himself a man of literary 
tastes, and very partial to your Grandfather, shook his 
head decidedly. Nevertheless at that very moment the 
author of The Spy resolved to write a clearly nautical 
novel. On his way home he sketched the outline, and, 
arrived at his house, told your Grandmother of his plan. 
He always talked over his literary plans with her. The 
Pilot was soon commenced, and when published proved 
brilliantly successful. 

The house in Beach Street was out of repair. The 
number of rats was really alarming! I remember dis- 
tinctly their running over the bed in which I slept. It was 
decided that we should move to 345 Greenwich Street. 
Before that event took place, however, a little brother 
was born to us. Your Father, my dear Jim, was bom at 
No. 3 Beach Street, and was named Paul. Some absurd 
people thought he was named after Paul Jones I But your 
Grandfather always liked short strong names for boys. 
He liked Giles, and Miles. Of course the baby was an 
immense pet with us all, and in my capacity of elder 



54 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

sister, I was allowed to play nurse very often, a task 
which I much enjoyed. 

On the regular moving-day. May ist, we were all 
transferred to Greenwich Street, at that time a quiet, 
dignified part of the town, now a haunt of all kinds of 
disreputable characters. Europe now loomed up more 
clearly in the distance. A French governess was provided 
for us, Madame de Bruges, Your Grandfather also took 
lessons with Monsieur Manesca, a refugee from St. 
Domingo who had a system of his own, a very clever but 
peculiar man. After a while your Grandfather took me 
with him, and I had regular hours also; we walked down 
hand-in-hand to Liberty Street, a long walk, three times 
a week. M. Manesca lived in a miserable little two-story 
house, wretchedly furnished; his family were with him. 
They had been wealthy planters in St. Domingo, but 
escaped with their lives only. His teaching was all car- 
ried on in writing; no lessons were learned. I remember 
once learning a verb by heart, while your Grandfather 
was taking his lesson; suddenly a gruff voice called out 
in loud angry tones, and a dark face scowled at me. ''Que 
faiteS'Vous la. Mademoiselle! ! !" I trembled. — "Vous 
apprenez ce verbe par cceur??'^ — "Oui, Monsieur,^' in a 
faint tone. The long, lank figure arose, stalked over to the 
corner where I sat, seized the grammar, and dashed it 
on the table. "Sachez, Mademoiselle, que si vous ap- 
prenez un autre verbe par cceur je vous renverrai — je ne 
vous donnerai plus de leconsl Entendez-vous ?" I forget 
whether I cried, but probably came very near it. He then 
returned to your Grandfather, and talked the question 
over with him philosophically. He did not wish to teach 
a set of magpies — he wanted his pupils to think. Such he 
declared was his principle. As a general thing he approved 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 55 

of his older and his younger scholar. Many were the little 
baskets, carved out of peach-pits, cut with his knife dur- 
ing our lessons, which he gave me ; they were pretty little 
toys. After a while he was so well satisfied with my 
progress that he wanted to exhibit me to a party of gentle- 
men. I was frightened at the idea. But there was no 
danger; your Grandfather said No very decidedly. 

We had a negro man as waiter at that time; his name 
was Charles, and his birth-place was Communipawl He 
spoke negro Dutch better than English. At that time 
Dutch was not infrequently heard in the streets of New 
York among the negroes and work people. Charles was 
very fond of the baby, whom he began very early to call 
"Massa Paul." Your father's nurse was a New England 
girl, an admirable person in many ways; on one occasion 
Mrs. Shubrick, who had been staying with us, offered 
her a parting gift of money, as usual — Abby drew back, 
indignant; "Mrs. Cooper paid her wages," she said; that 
was sufficient. Her wages were six dollars a month. Your 
Grandmother wished to take her to Europe, but Abby 
could not be persuaded to leave Yankeeland. 

As a preparation for Europe we were all studying 
French, old and young, great and small. My three little 
sisters went to a French day-school, during the winter, 
where nothing but French was spoken, as the pupils were 
all from French families. 

In the summer we moved into the country, to a farm- 
house at Bay-Side, near Flushing. We had an English 
Governess at that time. Miss Mellish, an excellent, 
warm-hearted lady, who kept up our English studies 
successfully. 

With the cool weather we returned to Greenwich 
Street. Your Grandfather was writing Lionel Lincoln at 



56 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

that time. The "Lunch" was in full vigor; they met, I 
think, every Thursday evening. And our French lessons 
with M. Manesca were kept up regularly, and we had a 
French Governess, Madame de Bruges — Miss Mellish, 
to our regret, leaving us to make room for the French- 
speaking lady, a common kind of person in whom none of 
us felt much interest. Your Grandfather also wished 
William and myself to take Spanish lessons, which we 
did with a certain M. Galvon; your Grandfather 
thought that the intercourse with the Spanish-American 
countries would become so close that the language would 
become a sort of necessity to an educated American. In 
this he was mistaken. But he also wished William to fit 
himself for a position in some merchant's counting-house. 
We learned to read Spanish, but the lessons were given 
up after a while and never resumed. Our cousin Goulds- 
borough Cooper, my Uncle Richard's eldest son, paid us 
a visit during the winter. Officers of the Army and Navy, 
Artists, and literary men, were frequently at the house. 
I particularly remember Mr. Bryant, Mr. Halleck, and 
Mr. Perceval the poet, as guests at dinner. Also Mr. 
Cole the artist. Dr. De Kay was also a frequent com- 
panion of your Grandfather's. Mr. Gilbert Saltonstall, 
a college companion of your Grandfather, whose home 
was in New England, stayed at the house repeatedly; he 
was a very clever man. On one occasion when Lieutenant 
Commander Shubrick was going away after passing a 
week or two with us, he proposed to my little sister 
Fanny to go with him; she was all ready for the elope- 
ment, trotted up stairs, put together a few articles of her 
wardrobe, tied them up in a handkerchief, and trotted 
down to the parlor all ready for the journey; Captain 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 57 

Shubrick was delighted with her readiness to go with him, 
and frequently alluded to it in later years. 

With the spring came another movement to the coun- 
try. This time to Hallett's Cove, to a farm-house belong- 
ing to Colonel Gibbs, a friend of my Father, whose fine 
house and grounds were close at hand. The place was 
called Sunswick and was opposite Blackwell's Island. 
It was thoroughly country then, with only an occasional 
farm-house in the neighborhood. We had a beautiful 
little cow, "Betty," and a farm waggon, with black 
horses, in which my Father drove us about. He frequently 
took us to a pleasant shady beach, where we children 
picked up many pretty shells, and where we all bathed. 
There was a wooded point at one end of the beach where 
we loitered in shade, enjoying the breeze. A few years 
later Dr. Muhlenberg built his College on that point. 
Sunswick is now the city of Astoria ! 

Our Father had a little sloop of his own, anchored at 
the wharf near the house; he called it the Van Tromp, 
and went to New York in it almost daily. Frequently I 
went with him, resting until the turn of the tide at Mr. 
Wiley's bookstore. Was this in Wall Street^ I remem- 
ber distinctly the abominable taste of the water, brought 
to me when I was thirsty, from a pump in the streets. For 
many years longer New Yorkers drank only very un- 
pleasant water from the street pumps. 

General Lafayette was in America on his triumphal 
journey that year. On one occasion there was some naval 
performance in the Bay of New York in his honor, and 
the Van Tromp, with the family as passengers, went to 
see the show. I remember straining my eyes to see the 
General. I rather think there was a race between the 
crew of an English man-of-war's boat and a Yankee boat 



58 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

rowed by Whitehallers, said to be at that day the best 
oarsmen in the world. The Americans won the race and 
the men gave their boat to General Lafayette. 

Our dear Father amused himself that summer with 
giving us lessons in naval architecture, object lessons, 
with the different craft passing in the narrow channel 
between the Sunswick bank and Blackwell's Island as 
models. We became very knowing in distinguishing this 
three-masted ship, that two-masted brig, the schooner, 
and the sloop. At every turn of the tide the East River 
would be full of white sails. One craft, a chebacco boat, 
I have never seen or heard of since. 

In the autumn a grand event occurred : the completing 
of the Erie Canal. There was a great procession in New 
York, which we saw from the windows of 345 Greenwich 
Street. Every trade was represented in the line, with 
appropriate banners and devices. One carriage, in passing 
our house, made an especial demonstration; it contained 
gentlemen, several of whom had on the ends of their up- 
lifted canes slices of bread and cheese — members of 
Father's Club, The Lunch, no doubt. 

Madame de Bruges left us, and Madame de Jordanis 
took her place, as Governess. A French gentleman, the 
Baron de Lyon, a young litterateur, brought letters to 
your grandfather. He was a great dandy, and had written 
several books; novels, I fancy. I remember his dining 
with us, and as he sat opposite one of those mantelpiece 
long mirrors he was very much occupied with admiring 
himself I He also admired, however, Natty Bumppo and 
Chingachgook. 

It was now quite settled that we were to sail for 
Europe in the following summer. Towards the last of 
April the house in Greenwich Street was given up. Your 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 59 

Grandmother, with all of us children, went to Heathcote 
Hill, to pass the month of May with our Grandfather 
De Lancey, and our Aunts Caroline and Martha. We 
had a delightful visit. All of our old friends made much 
of us, among others Auntie Jay, and her niece Cousin 
EfRe Duyckinck, as we called her. Our Father, after 
winding up his business in New York, went to Washing- 
ton, in company with the Prince of Canino, Charles 
Bonaparte, the celebrated naturalist, with whom he was 
quite intimate. While he was in Washington Mr. Clay 
offered him the position of Minister to Sweden, but he 
did not wish to be tied to a diplomatic life. He preferred 
a Consulship, as he wished to remain identified with the 
country, and thought that position would be a protection 
to his family in case of troubles in Europe. The chief 
object in his going to Washington was to see more of a 
large deputation of Indian chiefs, from the Western 
tribes, of whom he had seen much while they were in 
New York. He had become much interested in them, and 
studied them closely. They were chiefly Pawnees and 
Sioux, and among them was Petelasharoo, a very fine 
specimen of a warrior, a remarkable man in every way. 
The army officers in charge of this deputation told him 
many interesting facts connected with those tribes. He 
had already decided upon a new romance, connected with 
the mounted tribes on the Prairies. 

While we were at Mamaroneck I made my debut as 
a Sunday School teacher; a wooden Church, small but 
neat, had recently been built in the village, under the 
auspices of our Grandfather. It had been named St. 
Thomas. I taught a class of great factory boys during 
our Sundays at Heathcote Hill. Our aged Grandfather 
was a charming companion. On one occasion there was 



6o CORRESPONDENCE OF 

some allusion to a prominent English politician in the 
morning paper. Grandpapa laughed: "I knew him well," 
he said; "I was his warming pan I I was his fag at Har- 
row, and every cold night had to tumble into his bed to 
warm the sheets for him I" 

The 1st of June, 1826, the author of The Spy em- 
barked in the good ship Hudson, with all his family, in- 
cluding his nephew William, the son of his brother Wil- 
liam, whom he had adopted. We were five weeks at sea, 
landing at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, on the 4th of 
July. Great was our delight at all the strange sights. I 
remember being much interested in the thatched houses, an 
entire novelty to us, and in the hedges, which were much 
less beautiful than we expected. We made an excursion to 
Carisbrooke Castle, where we were in great excitement 
over the first ruin beheld by our Yankee eyes ; we studied 
profoundly the drawbridge, the old walls, draped in ivy, 
the deep well, and the little window out of which Charles 
I. ought to have escaped. 

After a delightful week at Cowes, we crossed over to 
Southampton, where our Father placed us in furnished 
lodgings, while he went to London on business with his 
publisher. Southampton was even more delightful than 
Cowes. There was an old gateway, a heavy stone arch 
crossing the principal street, and connected with it the 
gigantic figure of Sir Bevis, a knight of very ancient 
times. And then Netley Abbey, a really very fine ruin, 
was near the town. We went there several times, with 
our parents, and were in a great state of what my dear 
Father called "toosey-moosey," over every broken arch 
and ivy-wreathed column. We children gathered here the 
first scarlet field poppies we had ever seen growing in a 
wheatfield. One day as we were paying our respects to 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 61 

Sir Bevis, in the principal street of Southampton, several 
carts passed us, marked in large letters Sir William 
Heathcotc. The name attracted the attention of our dear 
Mother, whose only living brother was William Heath- 
cote De Lancey. She found on inquiry that all carts were 
taxed in England, and the name of the owners were 
painted on them, by law. Sir W. H. was a kinsman, 
living at a fine place, Hursley Park, not far from the 
town. He was a great friend of the Poet Keble, who 
wrote The Christian Year. We never saw those English 
Heathcotes ourselves; but our Uncle Bishop De Lancey 
became quite intimate with Sir W. H. at a later day. 

A very near relation, an Englishwoman born and bred, 
came to visit us at Southampton. This was Miss Anne 
De Lancey, the elder sister of our dear Mother. My 
Grandfather and Grandmother De Lancey, though both 
bom in America, of American families, were married in 
England; both their families were Tories, and went to 
England when the Revolution broke out. My Grand- 
father was an officer in the English army. Their two 
elder children, Thomas and Anne, were born in England. 
After the Peace my grandparents returned to America, 
taking their boy with them, but leaving their little girl 
with her Aunt, Mrs. Jones, by whom she was brought 
up. Our dear Mother was agitated by this meeting. Our 
Aunt was intensely English in appearance, manner, and 
opinions. To the great grief of my grandparents, their 
English daughter could never be induced to visit Amer- 
ica. She was very pleasant with us all, however, and re- 
mained some time with us. Since the death of Mrs. Jones, 
my Grandfather's sister — who was, he used to say, an 
angel for sweetness and goodness — our Aunt had passed 
much of her time with Lady Dundas Miss Charlotte De 



62 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

Lancey, a cousin of my Grandfather, and the widow of 
Sir David Dundas, at one time Commander-in-Chief of 
the British army. Soon after she left us, our Aunt mar- 
ried Mr. John Loudon McAdam, the celebrated engineer 
of roads, a very clever and agreeable old gentleman, bom 
in America, I think, but a very prejudiced Englishman. 
He told my Father, on one occasion, that sheep could 
never be raised in America 1 1 

At the end of a few weeks we left Southampton for 
Havre, in a small, rickety, jerky, dirty steamboat. On a 
bright moonlight night we landed on the soil of Nor- 
mandy, the native province of our Huguenot ancestors, 
the de Lances. At Havre everything was desperately 
foreign. After a few days we embarked for Rouen in a 
tugboat. Great was our delight in the views of the banks, 
the open unfenced farms, the compact dark villages, and 
the ruined castles. At Rouen we passed several days 
under the shadow of the grand old Cathedral, which was 
a great delight to him, a sublime wonder of architecture. 
The Hotel de Ville, where dear good Jeanne d'Arc was 
burned in the presence of mitred Bishops and belted 
knights, was visited with most melancholy interest. We 
all spoke French with ease, excepting my little brother, 
whose English was still babylike, though in a few months 
he was chattering away at a great rate in pure Parisian. 

Our dear Father bought a travelling caleche at Rouen, 
and we were soon climbing the hill of St. Catherine, 
where we greatly enjoyed the fine view. A Norman pay- 
satine, in winged white cap and wooden sabots, was walk- 
ing up the hill, as well as ourselves; a dark village of 
some size lay among the open patch-work fields below; 
my Father asked its name of the young woman. ''Je ne 
suis pas de ce pays la., 'Monsieur^'' she replied. She did not 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 63 

live in the village, and therefore did not know its name I 
"A Yankee girl would have known the name of every 
village in sight," remarked Papa. We were travelling 
post, the most charming of all ways of travelling, stop- 
ping at different points of interest; the chateau de Rosney 
was particularly interesting to me, as I had been reading 
with Mamma, a few months earlier, the Memoirs of 
Sully, the great Minister of the first Bourbon King 
Henri IV. ; Rosney was his Chateau. At St. Germain we 
passed a delightful afternoon visiting the grand old 
Chateau and the Park. 

We were soon in Paris, and the first afternoon our dear 
Mother was enticed out for a walk on the Boulevards by 
Papa. A few days more and we had left the Hotel de 
Montmorency and were regularly installed in a tempo- 
rary home of our own, as bourgeois de Paris^ in the nar- 
row, gloomy Rue St. Maur, with its muddy gutter in 
the centre, and a melancholy oil lamp swinging from a 
rope, above the gutter. Our first Paris home was in a 
pleasant furnished apartment, au second, in a fine old 
hotel, once occupied by a ducal dignitary of the days of 
Louis XIV. Towards the street it was a most gloomy 
looking building, blank gray walls. But, once within the 
porte-cochere, all was changed ; there was a lovely garden 
of more than an acre, with other adjoining gardens, all 
surrounded with stone walls at least twelve feet high, 
while groves of fine trees appeared above the walls. The 
hotel itself was on a grand scale — a noble stone stairway, 
with elaborate iron railing, rooms with very high ceil- 
ings, wide doorways, with pictured panels above and gilt 
lines on the woodwork — large windows, and parquet 
floors, of course. The rez-de-chausce, or ground floor, and 
the first story were occupied by a ladies' boarding-school. 



64 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

The second story was our home, pleasant and comfort- 
able, but not so grand. We were to be pupils in the school 
of Madame Trigant de la Tour and Madame Kautz. 
Our parents, wishing to be near us, rented the second 
story, where we all slept, but we children took our meals 
at the school. A friend of our Father's, Colonel Hunter, 
American Consul at Cowes, had just placed his daughters 
at the Convent du Sacre Coeur, a very aristocratic insti- 
tution, and wished to persuade our Father to follow his 
example. This suggestion was firmly declined. All the 
Hunter girls became Romanists, as was natural. 

Our school life was very happy. The teachers were 
very kind, and the girls very pleasant. Impossible to 
have a nicer set of girls; I cannot remember the least 
impropriety among them ; they were very innocent, cheer- 
ful, and merry. The large grounds were delightful ; we 
played games, and we danced every evening. We wore 
large black aprons completely covering our dresses from 
neck to heels, with a large pocket on one side. There were 
four classes in the School, each distinguished by its 
colored belt, green, orange, red, and blue, the last being 
the highest. Fanny was green, Caroline and Charlotte 
orange, and Suzanne red. There was a great deal of writ- 
ing; grammar, geography, history, etc., were all taught 
in writing. Arithmetic was the weak point; a singular 
fact, since Frenchwomen of the bourgeois e class are ad- 
mirable arithmeticians. M. Cuvier once told your grand- 
father that all his calculations were made by women, and 
he had never known them in error. M. Arago made the 
same remark. Our father and mother looked very closely 
into everything connected with the school, and were quite 
satisfied. Our meals were very good; a cup of milk and 
piece of bread, or else bread soup^ at 7 — then family 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 65 

prayers — study until 10; breakfast of cold meat, pota- 
toes, and salad, with weak wine and water, ''abondance" ; 
then recess for an hour; lessons until 2; lunch, ''g outer'' 
of a nice roll; playtime; lessons again until 6; dinner, 
very good, a "rotT of some kind, potatoes, salad, one other 
vegetable, and a simple dessert, pudding or fruit. Play- 
time, games, and dancing — study for an hour, family 
prayers, and to bed. Excellent teachers for music, draw- 
ing, and dancing. When at a later day we slept at school 
we had very nice single beds, with neat painted bedsteads, 
white and blue. The dormitory had been a grand salon 
of the time of Louis XIV., ceiling 15 feet high, with 
gilding over the woodwork, and quaint pictures over 
doors and windows. 

The garden was a delight, two acres of pleasant walks 
and trees. The larger girls had little flower-beds of their 
own. There were a number of locusts among the trees; 
when these were in blossom we had fritters made of the 
flowers for our dessert I 

One day as we went home, our dear Mother said, 
"Who do you suppose has been here this morning^ Sir 
Walter Scott I" 

Sir Walter had just arrived in Paris, seeking materials 
for his Life of Napoleon. It was very kind in him to call 
on your grandfather so soon. They had some interesting 
interviews. 

The same morning General Lafayette made a long call 
on my Father. But that was a common occurrence. 

While Sir Walter Scott was in Paris the Princess 
Galitzin gave him a very grand reception. It was a great 
event of the winter; all the fashionable people of Paris 
were there. As Sir Walter says in his diary, "the Scotch 
and American lions took the field together." But of 



66 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

course Sir Walter was the lion-in-chief. All the ladies 
wore Scotch plaids as dresses, scarfs, ribbons, etc., etc. 

The Princess Galitzin was an elderly lady, very clever, 
a very kind friend of your grandfather and grandmother, 
and a great writer of notes, full of the "eloquence du 
billet^''' but in the most crabbed of handwriting. She had 
a married daughter, and a married son living in Paris at 
that time. Her daughter-in-law, the Princesse Marie, was 
a charming young lady, sweet and gentle though the 
daughter of that rough old hero Marshal Suwarrow, who, 
when needing rest, took ojf his spurs on going to bed. 
Madame de Terze, the Princess' daughter, gave a bril- 
liant child's party, to which we four little sisters were 
invited. Your father, my dear Jim, had not yet put on his 
dancing shoes. Another child's party, a very brilliant 
affair, I remember, was given by Madame de Vivien for 
her granddaughters Mesdemoiselles de Lostange. The 
whole Hotel was open, and brilliantly lighted, and a 
company of cuirassiers in full uniform were on guard in 
the court and adjoining street, to keep order among the 
coachmen and footmen. That was the most brilliant affair 
of the kind that I ever attended, in my childish days. 

But the winter brought with it a very sad trial. My 
dear sister Caroline was suddenly attacked with scarlet 
fever of the most malignant kind. She was very alarm- 
ingly ill. For a time she seemed in a hopeless condition. 
It was a very long and a very severe illness. In fact, it 
was four or five years before she recovered fully from 
the disease. Scarlet fever was said to be more malignant 
in Paris than elsewhere. My dear Mother, dear Char- 
lotte, Fanny, and Paul had the disease, but in a mild 
form. 

I can remember no time, from my earliest childhood, 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 67 

when my dear Father did not say grace at table, and also 
he regularly read family prayers for us every evening. 
He used the prayers in the Prayer Book. At a later day, 
when we had French Protestant servants, the French 
translation of the Prayer Book was used. Later still, 
when we were living at the Hall throughout the year, he 
read family prayers in the evening also. 

While in Paris we attended the service of the English 
Church of the Oratoire. Bishop Luscomb had charge of 
the English residents, and many Americans also profited 
by his services. A year or two later my dear sister Caro- 
line and myself were confirmed by him at the Oratoire, 
and later still my younger sisters, dear Charlotte and 
Fanny, were also confirmed by him. 

My dear Father always gave each of us girls a good- 
night kiss, and blessing, every evening before we went to 
our rooms. This habit he kept up affectionately long after 
we were grown women ; indeed, until the last year of his 
life, when only dear Charlotte and myself were left to 
receive the good-night kiss in our old home. 

In the spring we removed to a very pleasant country 
house, at St. Ouen, about a mile from the walls of Paris. 
M. Ternaux, a great Paris banker, was our landlord. 
There were two countr)^ houses at St. Ouen; the largest 
was occupied by M. Ternaux; it had quite a large park; 
Madame de Stael lived there at one time. And at the 
date of the Restoration of the Bourbons Louis XVHL 
passed some days at the house of M. Ternaux before 
making his formal entrance into Paris. The ground be- 
tween St. Ouen and Paris was then entirely level, with- 
out fence or hedge, and green with market gardens. It is 
now, I am told, enclosed within the fortifications of 
Paris, and a part of the City. 



68 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

There were many Russians in Paris at that date, and 
they were generally very polite to your grandfather. They 
spoke French like natives. 

A naval officer, formerly his commander when he was 
stationed on Lake Ontario, Captain Woolsey, was a fre- 
quent companion of my Father during the first winter at 
Paris. They one day undertook to walk around the outer 
walls of Paris, and accomplished the feat successfully. 
The distance was, I think, eighteen miles. To-day that 
enchanting, wicked, dreadful city, containing many ex- 
cellent people, and many fiendlike spirits, covers a much 
wider extent of ground. 

In the spring my parents went to London, where my 
Father had business with his publisher. William and 
little Paul were of the party. We four girls remained at 
school, in the Rue St. Maur. John Bull was very civil to 
your Grandfather, so far as London Society went. He 
dined with prominent M. P.'s, prominent Peers, and 
even with Cabinet Ministers. He soon became quite inti- 
mate with Mr. Rogers the Poet; they were much to- 
gether, and enjoyed each other's society. Mr. Rogers was 
very clever and witty, and had a charming bijou of a 
house, full of curiosities; in his dining room was a 
mahogany sideboard made for him by a journeyman 
cabinet maker, later the celebrated sculptor Chantrey! 

Our Aunt Miss Anne De Lancey had married Mr. 
John Loudon McAdam, the great Colossus of Roads. 
He was an exceedingly ugly man, but very clever and 
entertaining. He took a great fancy to my little brother 
Paul. This little brother had now almost entirely for- 
gotten his English, but he chattered away at a great rate 
with his French maid, Lucie. It strikes me that I have 
forgotten to record a very important fact. My little 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 69 

brother was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Gregg, during the 
summer we passed at Hallett's Cove, and I made him 
quite an elaborate christening dress, with bands of 
insertion, tucks, and other ornamental work. 

Our dear Grandfather De Lancey died while my 
Mother was in London. His death was a great shock to 
her. He died very suddenly, having just returned from a 
drive, and was alone in his own room, with the young 
man who waited on him. My dear Aunts Caroline and 
Martha, who had been most devoted daughters to him, 
were greatly afflicted. They were of course obliged to 
leave Heathcote Hill, where they were born, and had 
lived all their lives. They went to Philadelphia, to live 
with their brother the Rev. William Heathcote De 
Lancey, then Rector of St. Peter's Church. My Grand- 
father, just before his death, sent us each a handsome 
Prayer-Book with our names stamped on the binding in 
gilt letters. My dear Mother's Prayer-Book was of a 
large size; she used it constantly herself, and during the 
last years of their lives my dear father and herself used 
it daily together, in their private morning devotions, in 
their own room. I have given directions that this Prayer- 
Book shall be placed under my head in my coffin. My 
dear Father was a great admirer of the Litany of our 
Church. After his death, in speaking of their use of the 
Prayer-Book together, my dear mother said to me, "Oh, 
he lived on those Collects the last year of his life I" 

In the month of July, 1828, just two years after we 
entered Paris, we took leave of our dear Governesses, and 
school friends in the Rue St. Maur, and set out in a 
roomy family carriage, coachman's box in front, rumble 
behind, with our faces towards Switzerland and Italy. 
We travelled post — much the pleasantest of all modes of 



70 CORRESPONDENCE OF 

travelling. No doubt the palace cars of the present day 
are very grand and luxurious; but grandeur and luxury 
often leave much real pleasantness out of sight. The 
postillions were very comical in appearance, wearing huge 
clumsy boots that covered their entire legs, and were 
stuifed with straw ! Occasionally we were treated to 
ropes in the harness. My father often sat on the coach- 
man's box, and I well remember his delight at the first 
sight of Mt. Blanc, like a brilliant white cloud, sixty 
miles away! He stopped the carriage, and invited my 
dear Mother to a seat beside him. He was also in a state 
of toosey-moosey over the mists which clung to the Jura 
mountains, after we had once entered Switzerland. We 
were soon settled in a pleasant country house near Berne, 
La Lorraine, which had been recently occupied by the 
ex-King of Holland, Louis Buonaparte, after the crown 
had fallen from his head — as all Napoleon's crowns were 
doomed to fall. It was a very simple house, with deal 
floors, a stiff little garden in front, with a stiff little foun- 
tain, quite waterless, as its sole ornament. But Oh, the 
sublime view of the Alps from the windows — the whole 
range of the Oberland Alps, so grand beyond descrip- 
tion, so beautiful beyond description, and constantly 
varying in their grandeur and their beauty. In the 
rear of the house was a natural terrace, where we 
all walked almost every evening, parents and children 
enjoying the noble view. It was on that terrace that my 
father taught Paul to fly his first kite, which he had made 
for him. Farmer Walther, who had charge of the prop- 
erty, had many interesting talks with his tenant on sub- 
jects political and military; he was very indignant at the 
robbery of the Treasury of the Canton of Berne by one 
of Napoleon's Marshals. But then Napoleon, while 



JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 71 

grand in other ways, was grand also at Robbery. Of 
course we made acquaintance with the Bears of Berne 
in their fosse. I doubt if many travellers enjoyed Switz- 
erland more than your Grandfather did; he was in a 
perpetual state of tooscy-moosey over the grand and the 
beautiful in that Alpine region. He made many excur- 
sions among the mountains, alone with guide and Alpen- 
stock, with William, or occasionally in a carriage with 
my dear mother, William, and myself. There were very 
few Americans travelling in Switzerland in those years. 
Only two came to Berne during the summer we passed 
there, Mr. Ray, and Mr. Low, of New York. 

In October we took a sentimental leave of La Lor- 
raine, and moved southward to Florence. We travelled 
Vetturino in the family caleche, with four fine horses, 
and a fine old cuirassier of Napoleon's wars for postil- 
lion, followed by a fourgon which carried our baggage, 
and had a hooded seat in front, occupied by William and 
Paul's nurse. The fourgon had only two horses, and a 
subaltern of Caspar for a postillion. We crossed the 
Simplon before the snow fell. Your grandfather was 
much interested in the great engineering work of Napo- 
leon, which crossed the Simplon with such a fine broad 
road. 

We were soon in Italy, dear delightful Italy. We paid 
our homage to the beautiful Cathedral at Milan, paid 
our respects to San Carlo Borromeo, and the Lago Mag- 
giore, halted for a day or two at Bologna, crossed the 
Apennines, and were soon at the gates of Florence. 
Your grandfather fell in love with Italy at first sight. 
And it was a love which lasted through his life-time. 
For Switzerland he had a great admiration; for Italy he 
had a warm affection, which neither beggars nor bandits 



72 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 

could chill. The very atmosphere of Italy was a delight 
to him. 

We were soon provided with a home of our own in 
Florence. 



A BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF 
COOPER'S LIFE 

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER was born Sep- 
tember 15, 1789, at Burlington, New Jersey, and 
taken to Cooperstown, New York, the following 
year. 

He lived there until he went to Albany in 1800 as a 
student in the house of Rev. Thomas Ellison, Rector of 
St. Peter's, from where he went to Yale in 1802 in his 
thirteenth year, and entered the class of 1806. He was 
expelled from Yale in his junior year, 1805. In the 
autumn of 1806 he sailed from New York as a sailor 
before the mast on the ship Sterling, Captain John John- 
ston of Wiscasset, Maine, as a preparation for the United 
States Navy. He was commissioned Midshipman Janu- 
ary 1, 1808. He resigned and married Susan Augusta De 
Lancey, January i, 1811. They lived in Westchester 
County, New York, until 1813, when they moved to 
Cooperstown and lived for a time on a farm on the lake 
shore, called "Fenimore." He left there in 1817 and 
resided in Westchester County, on Long Island, and in 
New York City until June 1, 1826, when he went to 
Europe with his family. He lived in Paris and Italy 
and traveled until October, 1833, when he returned to 
America, and after a short stay in New York lived at 
Cooperstown until his death in 1851. 



PART SECOND 

Covering the period between March, 1800, and October^ 
i8s3i which includes Fenimore Cooper s school and col- 
lege years; his time of service in the merchant marine and 
the United States Navy; his early married life; the writ- 
ing of his first and so?ne of his best stories; and the seven 
years spent by him in Europe. 

'During this time zcere published: Precaution; The 
Spy; The Pioneers; The Pilot; Lionel Lincoln; The 
Last of the Mohicans; The Prairie; The Red Rover; 
The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish ; The Water-Witch; The 
Bravo; The Heidenmauer; and The Headsman. 



James Cooper was born in his father s house at Burling- 
ton^ New Jersey, Septetnber 75, lySg. His name was 
changed to James F enimore-C ooper by an act of the 
Ijegislature of the state of New York in the year 1826. 
His father was Judge WilUaf?i Cooper of Cooperstown, 
and his mother was Elizabeth Fenimore, daughter of 
Richard Fenimore of Rancocas, New Jersey. 



I800-I833 



TO JUDGE WILLIAM COOPER 

Coopers Town 

March 3d 1800 
Dear Papa 

I take this opportunity to write to you as Isaac is a 
going directly to Philadelphia, we have got 6 lambs one 
has died and another is most dead. Mr. Macdonnald is a 
going to leave us for Albany. Mama will not let Samuel 
go with Isaac though he wished to very much. I go to 
school to Mr. Cory where I write and cypher. Mr. Mac- 
doRold has had a new student from New York who en- 
camped in Mr. Kents bam and laid 3 days there without 
being found out and had his feet frozen. We are all well. 
I hope I shall have the pleasure of receiving a letter from 
you soon as this letter reaches you — 

Your 

Affectionate 

son 
James K Cooper 
18 Century, 1800 

This is said to be the first letter written by Fenimore Cooper, 
who had a boyish admiration for Moss Kent and for a time called 
himself James Kent Cooper. Moss Kent was a brother of Chan- 
cellor Kent of New York and a friend of Judge Cooper's. 



78 CORRESPONDENCE OF [iSoi 

TO ISAAC COOPER 

Albany Sept 5 1801 
Cooperol 

I sit down to write to you by the desire of Mrs. Ellison 
who wishes me to ask you to send by the most careful per- 
son you can find coming this way the very finest piece of 
cambric muslin you have got, in your Store. Such as Mrs. 
Banyer got. Sisters and Papa left this, this morning Papa 
gave me 70 dollars to pay some debts and as I went to 
Mr. Banyers to see them start I either lost them a going 
or after I came to Mr. Banyers I do not know which, 
I searched for them but they have not yet shown their 
faces, Sisters were in good health, likewise Papa, Lieut. 
Cooper is a recruiting here, you must excuse mistakes and 
bad writing as I am in a great hurry. 

James Cooper. 
Mr. Isaac Cooper 

Coopers Town 

This letter was written while Cooper was a student at St. 
Peter's Rectory, Albany, where the Rev. Thomas Ellison taught 
a few boys whom he took as boarders, among them, Cooper, the 
poet Hillhouse, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, and William Jay. 

Thomas Ellison, A.M., Cambridge, England, Rector of St. 
Peter's, Albany, from 1787 to 1802, the year of his death, was a 
gentleman of remarkable wit, whose society was much coveted. It 
was said of him that he was "as much above a mean action as an 
angel is above a calumniator." Of Ellison, Cooper says that "he 
came to this country with a little Greek, and another man's wife." 

TO JUDGE WILLIAM COOPER 

Yale College, March 22nd. 1804. 
Mr. Mix is very desirous of his money, being about to 
go to New York — if you have any and if it is agreeable 



i8o8;] JAMES FEN I MORE-COOPER 79 

to you to pay you would I believe much oblige him. I 
have not a copper of money and am much in want of a 
little. 

I am your affectionate Son 

James Cooper. 

This fragment is the only surviving letter written by Cooper 
during his college years, so far as is known. 

TO RICHARD FENIMORE COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Oswego 7th November 1808 
My dear Sir 

You and I are old acquaintances but new correspond- 
ents. If you don't think fit to answer this letter, why I 
shan't think ht to write another. 

The officers of the army, at this place, have captur'd 
some few boats. The season is approaching when all 
trade must cease in this quarter of the world owing to 
the inclemency of the winters. 

Our Politicians have raised the embargo and made a 
French War. The rumour of War is strong. If the latter 
should be true adieu to Lake Ontario. I shall have the 
pleasure of seeing salt water once more. This Oswego has 
been crowded with company for this last month — officers, 
merchants, smugglers, etc., etc. I have purchased a brace 
of pistols for tvsenty dollars which I shall keep in remem- 
brance of your Friendship. There is no prospect of my 
having occasion to use them in this quarter of the world. 
I shall remember your injunctions — whenever I may have 
occasion of that kind. 

A small detachment of the U. S. Infantry under the 
command of Lieut. Christie are quartered here. They 
have taken possession of the old Fort where they will 



8o CORRESPONDENCE OF [1808 

remain in statu quo this winter. The officers form an 
agreeable addition to our small circle. 

I have enjoyed my health notwithstanding your repre- 
sentations of this sickly country — in fact, this particular 
situation is one of the pleasantest in the world, and re- 
markably healthy withal. 

Give my love to our Friends. 

I am your 

Friend and Brother 

James Cooper 

TO RICHARD FENIMORE COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Oswego, December 19th, 1808 
My dear Sir 

I received your letter by the last mail ; to your offer of 
continuing the correspondence I accede with great pleas- 
ure. Your advice will always be regarded as that of an 
elder Brother. Family dissensions are ever to me disagree- 
able. If any have or should take place in which I should 
be unfortunate enough to participate, it would always be 
my ardent wish to bury them in oblivion — could it be 
done consistent with my own honor, and that of my 
family. — The ebullitions of jny youth, will I hope be 
forgotten ; they have afforded me a lesson by which I may 
hereafter profit — I flatter myself your caution on this sub- 
ject was unnecessary; nature will predominate. — I am 
convinced that no connection will ever break the ties of 
blood — I write freely, for I am writing to a Brother 

We proceed rapidly with our vessel. I am told the 
British are preparing to build the ensuing season; they 
have four vessels already — Commodore Steel, their com- 
manding officer, threatens to give a good account of the 
Yankee Brig her first cruise. I expect we shall share serv- 



i8io] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 81 

ice with them the next summer — especially if the non 
intercourse law should pass. — The British officers we are 
told are war7n — if they attack us some of them may be 
eventually cold. — Woolsey is a fine firm fellow, and 
would fight the Brig to the last extremity. 

I shall be along your way shortly accompanied by two 
gentlemen, one of the navy the other of the army — both 
fine young men. I hope we sha'n't take the lady of Apple 
Hill in the straw. I write plain. — Does Samuel talk of 
getting married? — Give my love to your family. I am 

Your Brother 

James Cooper. 

TO RICHARD FENIMORE COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

New York, May 18th, 1810. 

I wrote you yesterday a letter in a great hurry; as its 
contents are of some importance, I employ the leisure 
time offered today, to inform you more fully of my 
views. 

When you were in the City, I hinted to you my inten- 
tion of resigning at the end of this session of congress, 
should nothing be done for the navy — my only reason at 
that time was the blasted prospects of the service. I ac- 
cordingly wrote my resignation and as usual offer'd it to 
Capt. Lawrence, for his inspection. — He very warmly 
recommended me to give the service the trial of another 
year or two; at the same time offering to procure me a 
furlough which would leave me perfect master of my 
actions in the interval. I thought it wisest to accept this 
proposition. — At the end of this year I have it in my 
power to resign should the situation of the Country 
warrant it. 

Like all the rest of the sons of Adam, I have bowed 



82 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1810 

to the influence of the charms of a fair damsel of eighteen. 
I loved her like a man and told her of it like a sailor. 
The peculiarity of my situation occasioned me to act with 
something like precipitancy — I am perfectly confident, 
however, I shall never have cause to repent of it. As you 
are coolly to decide, I will as coolly give you the qualities 
of my mistress; Susan De Lancey is the daughter of a 
man of very respectable connections and a handsome 
fortune — amiable, sweet tempered and happy in her dis- 
position. She has been educated in the country, occasion- 
ally trying the temperature of the City to rub off the 
rust — but hold a moment; it is enough she pleases me in 
the qualities of her person and mind. Like a true Quixotic 
lover, I made proposals to her father. He has answered 
them in the most gentlemanly manner — You have my 
consent to address my daughter if you will gain the ap- 
probation of your mother. He also infomis me that his 
daughter has an estate in the County of Westchester in 
reversion, secured to her by a deed in trust to him, and 
depending upon the life of an aunt, ULtat 72 — so you see. 
Squire, the old woman can't weather it long. I write all 
this for you — you know I am indifferent to anything of 
this nature. Now I have to request you will take your 
hat and go to mother, the boys, girls, and say to them, 
have you any objections that James Cooper shall marry 
at a future day, Susan De Lancey*? — If any of them 
forbids the banns may the Lord forgive them, for I never 
will. Then take your pen and write to Mr. De Lancey 
stating the happiness and pleasure it will give all the 
family to have this connection completed. — All this I 
wish you to do immediately., as I am deprived of the 
pleasure of visiting my flame, until this be done, by that 
confounded bore delicacy. — Be so good as to enclose the 



i8i2] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 83 

letter in one to me; at the same time don't forget to en- 
close a handsome sum to square the yards here and bring 
me up to Cooperstown. 

I wish not to interrupt you in your attempt to clear the 
estate. My expenditures shall be as small as possible. 

Your Brother 

James Cooper 

TO MRS. COOPER, NEW ROCHELLE 

Cooperstown, April 26th, 1812 
The man who first improved the advantages of writing 
into a communication of his thoughts by letter, must 
have been one of your lovers who's passion had roused his 
ingenuity to action. Indeed, my Susan, much as I am 
averse to writing, I feel a degree of pleasure while ad- 
dressing you that I never experienced in scribbling to 
another. I arrived here on Saturday evening via the 
Colonel's, who made kind inquiries after your fair self. 
Of William we know nothing; his wife is ignorant of his 
object, as are all the rest of the family; in fact the little 
insight he has thought proper to give us baffles all my 
speculations. He drew no money from here for his 
journey. 

Samuel was married at Pomeroy's and is at present 
with his wife at the Castle. I am pleased with what little 
I have seen of her. 

Richard is in Albany with his family. Eliza Cary who 
you have heard spoken of frequently is married to a man 
whose character is about on a par with Harries the mason 
and who's profession is the same. Isaac tells me that he 
sent me an Hundred Dollars by the last mail. You will 
open the letter and use the money, of course — ^you will 
distinguish it from the others by the post mark. — I have 



84 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1814 

this moment heard that Caroline Smith has lost her 
Grandmother Smith. 

I shall commence my improvements to-morrow morn- 
ing and intend if possible to improve my time so as to be 
able to start for home in a fortnight. 

I wish you would pay Cornell's bill for the Harness, 
taking his receipt in. 

Company prevents my writing more. Kiss our babe 
and rest assured of my affection. 

James Cooper. 

They are all in the dumps that you did not come along. 

TO MRS. COOPER, MAMARONECK 

Fenimore, June 30th, 1814 
Although I have already put one letter into the office 
to-day, and it will not be mailed until this is ready, I 
cannot resist the desire I feel to be scribbling to you 
again, so that in the place of one you will receive two 
letters on the same day. Owing to an alteration in the 
mail I missed the proper time to send my letter — conse- 
quently you will receive a disappointment for a few 
days. — In the other I send you Forty Dollars, which 
will make about Seventy in the whole — if this should not 
be enough you will write to me without reserve. If there 
is anything I have a right to complain of in your conduct 
as a wife, it is in too much hesitation in applying for that 
portion of your pecuniary supplies which is to be more 
particularly applied to your own use. I find no fault with 
your economy — but I would have you always apply to me 
without the least reserve, and would also have you believe 
that the spending of no money is more pleasant to me 
than that which contributes to your comfort. I will en- 



1814: JAMES FEN I MORE-COO I^ER 85 

close you more before I come down — you can then use it 
as you want it or not. In my last I mentioned the death 
of Jesse Starr. Mr. Barns if not dead will most probably 
drop off in the course of the day. I was in there this morn- 
ing with Mr. Smith — Bams was then very low, hardly 
alive. Orrin Ingalls was buried yesterday; he has, you 
may recollect, been very ill with consumption a long 
while. — In other respects we are all doing very well. — 
They are painting the house to-day — the colour the same 
as the Barn. — 1st. — I write a little every day to re- 
lieve ennui, as writing to you is next to communing with 
and seeing you. — I received no letter from you last night, 
although I certainly expected one. I suppose you so much 
engrossed by your Friends that they give you little time 
to yourself. Of this I cannot complain after having had 
you entirely my own for the preceding year. We have 
had no rain for two weeks; everything is suffering 
greatly. — I am fearful our crop of hay will be but small. 
Our corn looks well, other crops tolerably. — Mr. Lovell 
has become at last something like a regular inmate in our 
house and I will assure you his company is no little relief 
to my leisure hours. We both called on Bams this morn- 
ing; he is yet alive though I don't think he can last 24 
hours longer. — Old Mr. Brooks died yesterday; he was 
I believe turned of eighty. We continue very well and 
under the circumstances as happy as can be expected in 
two widowers bewitched. Poor Smith came down this 
morning and said that when he woke this morning, hear- 
ing Mr. Carey's boy, he sprang up thinking it was his 
own child. To tell the tmth I have turned round several 
times myself to catch our Sue-sue when the young rascal 
has pitched his pipes; it has however worn off very much 
lately. — 



86 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1814 

2nd, The weather still continues very fine, although a 
little rain would be a very good thing. — You have now, 
my Dear Susan, been absent from home near three weeks ; 
in about three more I think you will see me, if nothing 
should happen; that is, you will consent to return by the 
middle of August, the time Mr. Carey says you have set 
for your return. How fondly I anticipate the meeting I 
will not attempt to describe or you will hurry to the 
direction of my letter, to see if you have not got an old 
one directed to Miss S. A. De L. Isaac and John Morris 
start on the 5th for St. Lawrence; how long he will be 
absent from his family at this juncture I cannot say — I 
should say that a month would be a long time. Ic, how- 
ever, knows best. 

I am clearing the Lawn, burning stumps, etc. ; we have 
already made great alterations in its appearance, but hay 
harvest and the house put me back so much that you will 
find but few of the anticipated improvements completed. 
Kiss our sweet babe for me and remember to the Family 
yours with the fondest esteem 

James Cooper. 



FROM JOHN W. KEARNY 

New Rochelle 27*^ Septm^" 1814 
Dear Cooper 

Yesterday I recv'^ y*" letter inclosing a fifty DolU Bank 
note of Trenton Bank NJersey, being balance on the 
Two sheep bot of me and w*^ with those you had pur- 
chased of M'" LeRoy, I hope may get safe to y^ farm — 
Since the Banks came to a determination not to pay out 
specie, there has arisen a general mistrust and refusal to 
take each others notes, and they even refuse at Newark, 



i8i4] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 87 

to take the Bills of Brunswick and Trenton Banks, tho in 
the same state, and there is no knowing when this business 
will end — I mention this to put you on y"" guard agt 
taking Bills, as we have all been accustomed to do prior 
to this gloojny time, and situation of our affairs — 

Please present my best respects to y'" wife and believe 
me with esteem 

Yr H St 

John W Kearny 
Mr. James Cooper, Coopers town 



FROM J. p. DE LANCEY 

Mamaroneck, October 21**, 1814 
My dear James 

Sam and Abraham both want to be sold, do you want 
either or both of them, the price is £100 for each, the 
former went to town tor a week to try and get some body 
to purchase him, but could get nobody to give more than 
forty pounds for him, the other is to go as soon as we get 
through our fall work. 

I seldom hear from Tom he is so busy in drilling his 
men, and I believe he is now on a tour of duty at Harlem 
throwing up works, he and Edward expect commissions 
in Governor Tompkins's new Levies. The report of the 
day (from the Committee of defence) is, that the Brit- 
ish are expected this fall; for my own part I do not be- 
lieve it, I think the season is too late for this year, what 
next spring may produce I do not know. Do you want a 
sober steady man to take care of your sheep and poultry? 
as we expect to be out of place next summer — We are 
all well — as are the boys — 

I must now conclude to vou and write a few lines to 



88 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1820 

your better half and Caroline as mother is too busy reel- 
ing yarn to write by this days post — 

Adieu and believe me ever affectionately yours 

J P De Lancey 
James Cooper Esq'', Cooperstown. 



FROM WILLIAM JAY 

Bedford, 20th June, 1820 
Dear James, 

I see by the papers rec^ by the last mail, that I am 
appointed First Judge. I am very sensible of the friendly 
part you have taken, in procuring this appointment for 
me; and I beg you will accept my sincere acknowledge- 
ments for this and the many other marks of kindness you 
have shewn me. 

That our friendship which commenced in boyhood, 
may continue uninterrupted through life, and be finally 
perfected in another and better world, is the earnest wish 
of 

Your affec^e friend 

William Jay 
James Cooper Esq"", Scarsdale 

William Jay was a son of Chief Justice Jay, who was governor 
of New York from 1795 "to 1801. He was at school with Cooper 
at St. Peter's in Albany, and with him at Yale College, where he 
graduated in 1807. 

He was born in 1789, the year of Cooper's birth, and died in 
1858. Judge Cooper and Governor Jay were friends, and for fifty 
years their sons, William Jay and Fenimore Cooper, were very 
intimate. 



i822] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 89 

FROM WASHINGTON IRVING TO CHARLES WILEY 

London, March 6th, 1822 
My dear Sir, 

I have mislaid your letter on the subject of The Spy, 
which prevents my replying to the particulars of it, 
though I may to the general purport. I received your 
letter at a time when I was confined to my room by an 
indisposition that has afflicted me for many months, and 
has rendered me incapable of attending to any business. 
I did not see Mr. Murray until some time afterwards, 
when he informed me that he had shewn the novel to Mr. 
Gifford, who, however, did not give a sufficiently favour- 
able report to induce him to publish it. I procured the 
novel from him and offered it to Mr. Colbum. He told 
me he had published the previous novel by the same 
author, and had been promised to have the publication 
of this one, a copy of which he had been expecting. It was 
now, he said, too late, as another Bookseller (Mr. 
Whitaker) has got hold of a copy and put it to press — 
and in fact the work appeared a few days afterwards. 

I regret extremely that the work had not been sent to 
Colbum in the first instance. He is a fashionable pub- 
lisher, liberal in his prices and anxious to get American 
works of merit, whereas Murray is precisely the worst 
man that an American work can be sent to. He has the 
offer of almost every thing that is choice, and is extremely 
fastidious and he is surrounded by literary advisers who 
are prejudiced against any thing American. I have more 
than once been requested to offer American works to him 
such as [illegible], Mr. Tudor's work, etc., but he has 
always declined them, after causing a considerable loss of 
time by neglecting or forgetting to answer my applica- 
tions, I happening to be absent from London at the time. 



90 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1823 

The best course for authors in America to take would 
be to send manuscript copies of their works to Mr. John 
Miller, Bookseller, Fleet Street, and request him to dis- 
pose of them to the best advantage. He is a worthy and 
obliging man and to be depended upon in every way. He 
is in the American business, and disposed to do every 
thing to serve Americans. A book should not be first 
printed, if the author wishes to get a price for it, as the 
booksellers know they cannot [torn] a copyright and may 
be printed upon by other publishers. 

I have not heard what sale the work has had. It has 
been out but a very few days and I have been confined to 
the house by indisposition. I have read it with great inter- 
est, and think it ought to have success on both sides of 
the water. 

With best wishes I am, my dear Sir, 

Very truly yours, 

Washington Irving. 

Mr. Wiley, Bookseller, Wall Street, New York. 

FROM RICHARD H. DANA 

Cambridge, April 2, 1823 
Sir, 

As I venture to write you without having the pleasure 
of a personal acquaintance, I am put into a somewhat 
awkward situation — that of introducing myself. Or to be 
rid of this I will, if you please, refer you to your pub- 
lisher, Mr. Wiley; who was also my publisher during 
my short, winter day of authorship. 

A man is said to take a good deal upon himself, who 
tells another how much he is gratified with what that 
other has done. Nevertheless, I cannot read two such 



1823] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 91 

works as The Spy and The Pioneers^ and hold my tongue, 
I must be allowed to express to you in a few words how 
grateful I am to you for the deep interest I was made to 
take in your two stories, and to say something of the de- 
light and variety of delight they gave me, 

I know that reading is now a sort of fashion, and that 
the great object is to be first in the fashion, and in order 
to do that, to be the first in getting a new publication, the 
first in getting thro' it, the first to talk about it, the first in 
talking about it, to shew that from the time we took it in 
hand we were mainly intent upon the way in which to 
make it clear how much cleverer we were than the author, 
and how much better we understood his business than he 
himself did. Now this is selfish and insincere, and tho' it 
may sometimes help one to be ingenious, it is pretty sure 
to make him unsound. To an honest man, who reads a 
book for the good it may do him, it gives the heartache to 
be obliged to listen to the overmuch talk of this kind, so 
that in his fits of impatience, he sometimes almost wishes 
he might say with eloquent Leatherstocking, "I never 
read a book in my life." As I am not one of these active, 
ambitious spirits, nor of the number of those who read as 
"Hiram Doolittle" planned, by the "square rule," but 
read simply to be improved and entertained and made 
comfortable, I always feel more or less of gratitude 
towards the author who does this for me. And if he fills 
my mind with material beauties, and stirs me with the 
eloquence of the passions, as you have done, I long to tell 
him of it. No man can be so moved without being brought 
into something like a relationship with the writer — a 
relationship of minds; — a very convenient sort of rela- 
tionship, too, for the author, as he maj- acknowledge it or 
not, just as he pleases. 



92 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1823 

It is a good thing for us that you have taken such a 
course. You are doing for us what Scott and Miss Edge- 
worth are doing for their homes. Living so near to the 
times you are describing, being acquainted with people 
who were actors in them and eye witnesses, and being able 
from what remains of those days to judge what was their 
character, your works impress us with all the sincerity of 
matter of fact; and the creative powers of the mind seem 
to present us only actual truths brightened or softened 
by the atmosphere that surrounds them. You have a 
double hold on posterity; for curiosity will act stronger 
and stronger upon them as time goes forward. How pleas- 
ing must it be to you, when not able even to conjecture 
what in a little while will take the places of all you are 
now looking on, or what will then be doing where you 
now stand, to reflect that your descriptions of these pass- 
ing things will remain the same, and your characters still 
live and act, — to see even thro' earthly things how im- 
mortal is the mind I When "Old Mortality" will not be 
able to read the gravestone over you, the thoughts and 
sensations of the soul which you have sent out into the 
world will still be keeping on their bright, mysterious 
course thro' crowds of living, busy men. To love fame for 
this takes away vanity from our love, and makes it sacred. 
What a full and true description you have given of a 
newly settled village in a new country. Such a motley 
company huddled together, yet all distinctly marked and 
individual, and every one as busy as can be, as always is 
the case in such a place. (Honest Major Hartmann in^his 
sky blue coat is but a visitor and remarker, and of course, 
not as busy as the rest, always excepting his share in 
Mistress Hollister's good cheer.) There is your bustling, 
vain Jack-at-all-trades, Richard, Ben, Aggy, and Brown 



1823:] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 93 

at the shooting match. Miss "Remarkable," a most happy 
instance of one of the thousands of those beings to be 
found anywhere amongst us, who let themselves out to 
make themselves and the family as uncomfortable as pos- 
sible — and there is Miss — "I will call her Betsey," full 
of spirit and beauty, and the dying Indian. The stout, 
honest-hearted "Billy Kirby" — how well he became that 
picturesque scene at the sugar brush. 

I was heartily glad too at meeting again with Mis- 
tress Flanigan, of whom Miss Edgeworth gives so good 
a character^ No one could have mistaken her when she 
came up to the sleigh, as Mrs. Hollister, or in that admir- 
able scene with her husband in their public room after 
church on Christmas eve. 

How could Miss Edgeworth be guilty of so very 
superficial an observation as that made by her on Harvey 
Birch*? If a character is marked, like Birch, with strong 
passions and deep sentiment, it matters not a farthing 
what's his occupation, or whether he dies on a gallows or 
in a bed of state. When shall we lay aside our vulgar 
notions of refinement and trust to the honest emotions of 
the heart I Miss E. is as unfortunate in her instances as 
in her doctrine. Birch is interesting, intensely interesting, 
and as to Major Andre (of whom one of her mothers 
knew something) there never was an individual, who in 
so short a time and without any remarkable art on his 
part, created such a deep and lasting and general sym- 
pathy — a sympathy strong enough to outlive even the 
mawkish lament of a Seward. 

I have run unawares into particulars; yet I cannot 
close without a parting word to "Leatherstocking." Could 
we hear such preachers as Natty when in the boat on the 
Lake, would not the world be better than it is*? Grand 



94 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1823 

and elevated as he is, making him so is no departure from 
truth. He read in a book filled with inspiration, look on it 
where we will. But, alas, too few feel the inspiration 
there — or scarcely in that other Book which God has 
given us. Natty's uneducated mind, shown us in his pro- 
nunciation and use of words belonging to low life, 
mingled with his inborn eloquence — his solitary life — 
his old age, his simplicity, and delicate feelings, create a 
grateful and very peculiar emotion made up of admira- 
tion and pity and concern. So highly is his character 
wrought that I was fearful lest he would not hold out to 
the end. But he does grow upon us to the very close of the 
last scene, which is, perhaps, the finest, certainly the most 
touching in the book. A friend of mine said at Natty's 
departure, "I longed to go with him." 

Stranger as I am to you I should not have ventured on 
this letter, had not Mr. Allston (whose name as an artist 
must have often reached you) encouraged me to it. If it 
is taking too great a liberty, I must throw part of the 
fault on him, and plead my good intentions in excuse for 
the rest. 

Allow me to add that my few literary friends feel 
grateful for the pleasure you have given them, and for 
what you are doing for the literary character of our coun- 
try. The voice of praise will, I doubt not, soon reach you 
from the other side the water, tho' it should not come to 
you down the Connecticut and thro' the Sound from the 
friends and relatives of Hiram Doolittle and Dr. Todd. 
With every apology 

I remain. Sir, Y'r grateful reader, 
and humble Ser'vt 

Rich'd H. Dana. 



i823n JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 95 

FROM JOHN MILLER 

69 Fleet Street, June 28, 1823 
Sir, 

I am favoured with your letter of the 20th May, by my 
friend Mr. Matthews. I have not yet been able to com- 
municate with Mr. Murray on the subject of The 
Pioneers^ but will do so as soon as possible, and let you 
know the result. I cannot at all account for his extraordi- 
nary inattention to your letters. Although The Pioneers 
has not succeeded greatly, it must still have had a very 
good sale. I should suppose a profitable one; it is not 
quite so popular as The Spy, because not quite so gener- 
ally understood. I shall be truly happy to reprint The 
Pilot, but as there is no security for the Copyright, can 
only propose to do so on the sharing plan. Murray has no 
means of preventing other Booksellers from printing The 
Pioneers, although I hope there is too much good feeling 
among the Trade to make such an act probable. Should 
the work reach me in October it can be got out in plenty 
of time to come into the Christmas accounts, and you can 
have a settlement early in the next year, say February, 
and the balance remitted to you, or paid to your order. 
When I propose a sharing plan, I mean of course, as to 
the profits ; you will have nothing to do with the expense, 
supposing (a very improbable case) that the work does 
not clear itself. If you are satisfied with the plan I have 
proposed, you will please to favour me with the first 
Volume, as soon as it is printed, and also the second. 

I hope it is unnecessary^ to add, that any arrangement 
I enter into with you shall be punctually and honour- 
ably fulfilled; my kind friends Messrs. Hone — Coles — 
Weeks — Price — Ely and Halleck, will, I flatter myself, 
give you satisfaction on this point. 



96 CORRESPONDENCE OF [;i826 

With thanks for your letter, I am, Sir, 

Your Obt Servt. — 

John Miller 
James Cooper Esq., New York 

TO HIS ENGLISH PUBLISHER, 1826 [cOPy] 

Dear Sir, 

Carey Published The Mohicans on the 6th of Febru- 
ary, about lo days earlier than I had anticipated. As I 
sent you, however, duplicates of the 1'^ volume nearly a 
month before, I presume you will not be far behind him. 
I do not know whether I desired you to sell a copy to the 
translators, on your own account, or not, but I sincerely 
hope I did ; for it being out of my power to profit by such 
a sale, I could wish you to get something for yourself. 
The book is quite successful in this Country; more so, I 
think, than any of its predecessors. 

I intend to sail from here some time in the month of 
June, either for France or Italy; which, I have not yet 
determined. As I shall be accompanied by Mrs. Cooper, 
and my family, it is my intention to remain in Europe a 
year or two. My object is m)^ own health and the instruc- 
tion of my children in the French and Italian languages. 
Perhaps there is also a little pleasure concealed in the 
bottom of the Cup. Before I go, I shall apprise you of 
my movements, as I intend to appear, again, in the field. 
Perhaps I may be able to secure a right in England for 
the next book. At all events, I hope to see you before I 
return. 

I see by our papers that Pilot has been printed by some 
adventurer or other. Is there no way of stopping this"? 
We are about to alter our law, and I hope to make it more 
liberal to Foreigners. Verplanck (the author) is in Con- 



1826] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 97 

gress, and chairman of the Committee. He is a friend, 
and indeed, connexion of mine, and has written me on 
the subject. As I shall go to Washington in a few days, 
I hope to be in time to throw in a hint to that effect. 
There are some strong Literary men in both Houses at 
present, and as the President is a good deal of a Scholar, 
I am in hopes a more liberal policy than heretofore will 
prevail. 

Will you have the goodness to get a set of The Mohi- 
cans neatly bound, and send it to the Hon. E. G. Stan- 
ley, the eldest son of Lord Stanley. I know no better way 
of distinguishing him. He is a member of Parliament, 
and after his father, the next heir to the Earldom of 
Derby. It is the Gentleman who was in this Country last 
year. He and I were together in the caverns at Glens 
Falls, and it was there I determined to write the book, 
promising him a copy. Send it with a note, saying that 
you were requested to do so, by the Author. 

[J. F. C] 

DEWITT CLINTON TO HENRY CLAY 

Albany, 4 March, 1826 
Sir 

James Cooper, Esq^ of New York State, whose writ- 
ings have reflected honor not only on himself, but our 
Country, is desirous of a Consular appointment and he 
prefers a station on the Mediterranean. Believing you 
disposed to encourage American talent, I have taken the 
liberty of recommending him to your favorable notice as 
a gentleman every way worthy of it. 

I am yours very respectfully, 

DeWitt Clinton. 
The Honorable Henry Clay, Secretary of State 



98 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1826 

FROM DEWITT CLINTON 

Albany, 4 March, 1826 
Dear Sir 

Your letter has not been answered as soon as I intended 
owing to an attack of Influenza which distributes from 
its presence not pestilence and war but blue devils and 
ennui. I now enclose a recommendation direct to the 
Secretary of the State which I hope may realize your 
objects. 

I thank you for your last work \_Thc Last of the 
Mohicans~\. Knowing all the localities it has impressed 
me as an admirable graphic description and I think that 
your power of exciting terror, points out Tragedy to you 
as a field of adaptation to your mind. I am however well 
aware that the Drama and Romance are not considered 
congenial. With my best wishes for your increased 
prosperity 

I am your friend 

DeWitt Clinton 
James Cooper Esq, New York 

FROM HENRY CLAY 

Department of State, Washington, 26 May, 1826. 
Sir, 

The President, by and with the advice and consent of 
the Senate, having appointed you Consul of the United 
States for the City of Lyons in France, I have the honour 
of enclosing herewith your Commission accompanied with 
printed Circular Instructions, and a Blank Consular 
Bond, which last you will execute, and return to this 
Department, taking care to have a Certificate from the 
District Attorney of the State in which the Sureties 
reside, subjoined to the Bond, that they are in his opinion 



i826] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 99 

sufficient, before it is transmitted to this office. Be pleased 
to acknowledge the receipt of your Commission as soon as 
it reaches You. 

I am very Respectfully 
Sir, 
Your Obedient Servant, 

H. Clay 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq.r 
Consul of the United States 

for the City of Lyons in France. 



FROM LORD PONSONBY TO COMMODORE J. D. ELLIOTT 

Tuesday, 13th June, 1826. 
My Dear Sir 

I beg you will accept my best thanks for the Books for 
Lady Ponsonby. 

We both of us partake strongly of the admiration 
which prevails universally in England for the Works of 
your eminent countryman and feel sure that in these, to 
us new, productions of his genius we shall find additional 
reasons for that sentiment. 

I regret very much and hope you will excuse my delay 
in paying my respects to yoij on board your Frigate, but 
in addition to the pressure of public business occasioned 
by the sailing of the Briton and The Packet about to take 
place I have been suffering from indisposition. 
I have the honor to be 
My Dear Sir 
Your most obedt 

Humble Servant 

Ponsonby 
Commodore Elliott 



100 CORRESPONDENCE OF ^1826 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

La grange July 24 1826 
With much pleasure I Hear that Mr. and Mrs. 
Cooper and their family were expected last night in paris. 
How long they intend to remain there before they take 
the Road to the South I do not know. But I Hope it will 
not be out of their line of arrangements to grant some 
time to the inhabitants of La grange. My daughters, 
grand daughters, and son join in the request; and I, who, 
altho' Mr. Cooper was one of the first New York friends 
I Had the gratification to take by the Hand, Have much 
regretted not to Have more opportunities to enjoy His 
Company, I Beg Leave to Sollicit a Compensation in 
His kind visit. I Have the Honor to offer to Him, His 
Lady, and family my Highest regard. 

Lafayette 
A Monsieur Coopers Hotel 
Montmorency Rue St. Marc 
a paris 



TO WILLIAM JAY 

Paris, Faub. St. Germain, Rue St. Maur. 
Nov. 12. [1826] 
My Dear Mr. Jay 

If you know Mrs. Auger she can tell you all about 
our place of residence, when you say to her that we have 
the apartments formerly occupied by M. Tiejart. They 
quarrelled, and some allowances must be made for her 
description. I delivered your letter to Mrs. Robertson, 
and there the affair has ended, and must end, for to be 
frank with you (you know I am a plain dealer) both 



i826: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER loi 

Mrs. Cooper and myself think that she has been so 
pointedly indifferent, especially under our particular cir- 
cumstances, as to make it incumbent on Mrs. C. to re- 
ceive any future advances that she may choose to make, 
a little coldly. By the bye, your cousin has a pretty good 
house, well furnished, keeps a coach, and there the matter 
ends. Had she been a good motherly old woman (for she 
is the latter, in spite of all her efforts to the contrary) she 
might have won our hearts, but we are, as you well know, 
neither to be caught nor to be awed by airs. The wife of 
our Minister here, Mrs. Brown, is a different sort of 
woman. She lives in a splendour that is even imposing in 
Paris, and entertains freely and richly. In addition to 
this, she is a good natured kind hearted woman. The 
Minister lives in the Palais Bourbon, a building that was 
elected by one of the former petty Princes of Italy, the 
Prince of Monaco, from whom it has passed thro' Talley- 
rand, the Duchess of Bourbon and into the hands of 
Mademoiselle d'Orleans, who is the present proprietor. 
The Browns are, however, compelled to quit it, as their 
lease is out, and the Orleans family intend to fit it up for 
the Duke de Chartres, the heir of that branch of the 
Bourbons. As I know you like a little quality binding, I 
shall give you an account of a dinner I was at, there, as 
late as yesterday. It was a great honour to be present, 
being one of the regular diplomatic entertainments, at 
which it is uncommon to find any one lower in rank than 
a Charge d'affaires. But Mrs. Brown, who is good 
nature itself, saw fit to ask Dr. and Mrs. Jarvis, Mrs. 
Cooper and myself. My wife could not go on account of 
Caroline, but I attended and filled one of the end seats, 
as an extra attache. The first thing will be to give you a 
list of the company; I shall commence on my own left, 



102 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1826 

and you will recollect I sat at the foot of the table, or 
rather at one end, there being no foot, Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown occupying the centres opposite to each other, a la 
mode frangaise. — To begin: M. de Ischann, Charge 
d'affaires of Switzerland. Next, the Baron de Werther, 
Envoy and Minister of Prussia — next, Mr. Gallatin, 
En. and Min. U. S. to England — next, the Count Pozzo 
di Borgo, Ambassador of Russia — next, the Countess 
Appoloni, wife of the Austrian Ambassador — next, the 
Count de Villele, Prime Minister of France — next, 
Mrs. Brown — next, the Baron de Damas, Minister of 
foreign affairs for France — next. Lady Viscountess 
Granville, wife of the English Ambassador — next, 
Count Appoloni, Austrian Ambassador — next, Mrs. 
Gallatin — next. Lord Viscount Granville, Eng. Am. — 
next, the Baroness de Werther — next, Mr. Sheldon, the 
Secretary of Legation — next. Marquess of Clauricarde, 
son-in-law of Mr. Canning — next, Miss Gallatin — next, 
the Baron Fagal, Netherland's Minister and Envoy — 
next, Mrs. Jarvis — next, Mr. Canning, Prime Minister 
of England — next, the Countess de Villele — next, Mrs. 
Brown — next, the Baroness de Damas — next, M. 
Macchi, Archbishop of Nisibic and Nuncio of the 
Pope — next, Mrs. Canning — next, the Duke de Villa- 
hermosa, Spanish Ambassador — next. Dr. Jarvis — next, 
your humble servant — in all 26. — I went early, as an 
attache, or what is the same thing, an "'ami de ?naison" 
Dr. and Mrs. Jarvis made their appearance soon after — 
so we were six Americans all ready for the strangers. 
While we were chatting the Groom of the Chambers 
announced unexpectedly Monsignior le Nonce — a re- 
spectable looking ecclesiastic entered and, after paying 
his compliments to Mrs. Brown, bowed politely round, 



i826] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 103 

and during the rest of the evening gave himself no airs. 
You will recollect that, in all catholic countries, the 
Pope's Nuncio ranks next the Blood Royal. He was 
dressed in his ordinary clerical robes, with an Arch- 
bishop's hat, and a splendid chain, from which was sus- 
pended a cross of the purest gold. His tout ensemble was 
exceedingly pleasing. — After him the company came in 
very fast, and by half after six the dinner was announced. 
I saw little difference in the manner of reception of our 
own country, excepting that every body is, as you know, 
announced, and that the ladies all entered and departed 
in front of their beaux, instead of leaning on their arms, 
as with us. The freedom gives the woman a better oppor- 
tunity of showing her grace, but it has not a delicate or 
ladylike appearance. They all wore chip hats with 
feathers, but were not richly attired. The men also were 
plain, with the exception of stars. Of these there were 
plenty, some of them wearing the badges of three or four 
orders. Of the Diplomatic Corps, our own Minister, the 
Charge d'affaires of Switzerland, and Mr. Canning were 
the only members who did not appear with some order. 
Lord Granville wore, I believe, the Star of the Garter 
or the Bath; the Count de Villele that of the St. Esprit; 
Pozzo di Borgo had two or three of different nations; 
and the Spaniard was exceedingly rich in jewels. Dr. 
Jarvis was the only gentleman in br: — the rest were in 
dress pantaloons. There was no formality observed ex- 
cept that the French Prime Minister handed Mrs. 
Brown to the table, and Le Nonce, la Baronne de 
Damas, and Mr. Canning, who is on neutral ground here, 
kept a little back and then, perceiving that Miss Gallatin 
and Mrs. Jarvis were left, he motioned to Lord Clauri- 
carde to take the former, and led the latter himself. — 



104 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1826 

You will see that each gentleman took a seat next the 
lady he conducted. The Duke de Villahermosa led Mrs. 
Canning, your humble servant led the — rear. The conver- 
sation was low, and never extended beyond the third or 
fourth person. The party was gay, and very talkative, 
laughing freely, tho' not loud. In short, in this particular, 
it differed in no respect from a well bred collection at 
home. The most remarkable pair in the room were Pozzo 
and Gallatin. These two men were both adventurers in 
foreign countries, both remarkable for their powers in 
conversation, both cunning, successful, and one repre- 
senting the greatest despotism and the other the greatest 
republic in the world. They sat together and talked 
freely to each other. Lady Granville, who is a sister of 
the Duke of Devonshire, is a showy woman, though a 
little coarse in her person, Mrs. Canning is in the oppo- 
site extreme, being as thin or even thinner than my wife. 
Villele is a mean looking man, bearing a strong resem- 
blance to the late Caleb Biggs — tho' his eye is livelier 
and has more cunning. Lord Granville is a fine looking 
man, but is not graceful; Mr. Canning perfectly plain 
with a very fine eye, bald head, and of a middling stature, 
plain and gentleman-like enough, but with nothing strik- 
ing in his manner. After dinner he did me the honour to 
desire Mr. Gallatin to present me, and I had ten min- 
utes' talk with him. He is very English, but evidently 
looks at the U. S. with some interest. He enquired very 
particularly after his neighbour at the table, Mrs. Jarvis, 
and seemed struck with her appearance and conversation. 
His son-in-law is a tall, thin, boyish looking young man 
of four-and-twenty who seems not more than twenty, 
genteel, but nothing more as to exterior. His name is 
De Baugh, and he was the oldest Irish Earl, until he 



i826: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 105 

married Miss Canning, since when he has had an ancient 
Marquisate of his family revived and has been also made 
an English Peer. I had nothing to say to him. The 
Baroness de Damas is a little hu77ip backed^ vulgar look- 
ing woman, of some great family, who did nothing but 
snigger and chat with Monsignior le Nonce, as she called 
him; she wore around her neck a string of large gold 
beads, perfectly plain, that I should think was near six 
feet long; they were unquestionably connected with her 
religion. It was a fast day in the church and I watched 
his lordship the Nuncio, to see if he tasted any of the 
forbidden things, but French cookery is a fine cloak in 
these matters. For myself, I always eat at random, and 
some awful compound it is occasionally my lot to en- 
counter! The courses are first placed on the table, and 
then dish after dish is taken to a side board, or table 
rather, carved and handed to the company, the servant 
naming the dish as he presents it. The same with the 
wine, and everything but the fruits, to which you may 
sometimes help yourself. I had nothing to do except to 
eat and converse. The entertainment was exceedingly 
splendid, and recherche — Turbot, salmon, Pheasants, and 
all those sorts of things beautifully served and well 
cooked. There were twelve footmen. I have been at 
several entertainments here, but to none equal to this. 

FROM THE LUNCH 

New York, Nov. 25, 1826 

To 

"J" the Constitution of the "Bread and Cheese." 
We your dutiful and affectionate Commissioners, most 
graciously nominated, appointed, authorized, and en- 



io6 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1826 

joined, by our dear and ever venerated Constitution^ to 
convoke and convene the Great Diet of the Bread and 
Cheese Lunch, deem it our bounden duty promptly to 
communicate to Your Patriarchal Highness, an account 
of the measures and proceedings touching our momentous 
charge : — 

But in the first place we beg leave to premise, that a 
few weeks before the reception of the Commission, 
divers members of our Association of good report and of 
great sedateness and sobriety, having grown weary of our 
long and inglorious summer vacation, and languishing for 
the return of the festive and hilarious hours of the "Bread 
and Cheese," and at the same time instigated and influ- 
enced by our two Honorable Representatives in Congress 
whose avocations at Washington were soon to call them 
away from the luxuries of the Lunch, repeatedly ex- 
pressed and made known their desires and longings to 
your Secretary and Treasurer, and finally urged their 
wishes in a strain of most "petitionary vehemence." 

Your Secretary and Treasurer, not imagining that the 
manifold and arduous duties of your Consulship, could 
possibly allow you leisure so early to turn your attention 
to Cis-Atlantic concerns, yielded to the clamorous and 
pathetic importunities of their Brethren, and convoked 
a meeting on the fifth day of October at Washington 
Hall. 

At the fourth subsequent meeting, the arrival of the 
Commission being announced, it was instantly resolved, 
that a High Lunch be held the succeeding week, for the 
especial purpose of opening the Commission in due 
form : — 

This was promptly carried into effect, and at the 
appointed hour twenty seven qjembers were seen to sur- 



i826] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 107 

round the stately Loaf that sublimely surmounted the 
majestic Cheese, while six decanters of Madeira poured 
forth a rich and joyous libation to our ever honored 
Constitution. 

It was on this evening, Sire, that a perplexing dilemma 
presented itself to the Lunch. Thursday had been found 
to be an inconvenient time for our Sessions at Washing- 
ton Hall by reason of some prior appropriations made by 
our Host, and yet Thursday was the day expressly desig- 
nated in the Commission. But an ingenious expedient 
was fortunately suggested by one of our learned mem- 
bers which immediately dissipated the difficulty. It was 
merely to imitate the contrivance of the renowned Pope 
Gregory alias Tom Gregory^ in altering the calendar; but 
instead of abolishing and extinguishing eleven whole days 
and nights, it was proposed merely to change the name of 
a single day, pro hac vice., and call Tuesday., Thursday. 
This happy idea reconciled the most scrupulous and con- 
scientious adherents of the Constitution to the change, 
because they were convinced that in this there was not the 
slightest deviation from the strict letter of our sacred 
Charter. 

Sire, 

We have much interesting matter to communicate to 
you relative to the state of our Society, the spirit of our 
meetings, and the fortunes of our individual members. 
One of our oldest has gone on a voyage to South Amer- 
ica; another has recently submitted his willing neck to 
the easy yoke of Hymen : two have been re-elected Rep- 
resentatives in Congress, and a third was on the point of 
being chosen a member of the State Assembly. 

As to the election of new members, we have been very 



io8 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1826 

sparing both of our Bread and Cheese, as will appear in 
the margin.* 

Having heard, Sire, of the distinguished attention paid 
to you by His Most Christian Majesty, as soon as he 
knew that the Father of the Lunch had arrived in his 
dominions, We intend very shortly to give his Majesty an 
expression of our gratitude for his goodness in this par- 
ticular, by electing him an honorary member of the 
Lunch. Be pleased, Sire, when you next dine with his 
Majesty to apprise him of the intended compliment. 

It is by this time no doubt well known to you. Sire, 
that the good people of France are as yet but imperfectly 
acquainted with the extremely difficult art of pronounc- 
ing their native language according to those nice and 
newly discovered rules of Orthoepy that were settled at 
the Lunch before your departure. This interesting fact 
coming to the knowledge of the King, could not fail, we 
imagine, to make a favorable impression on his Royal 
Mind, and might possibly incline him to permit and to 
patronize a French Lunch, in his great Metropolis. By 
conversing with you. Sire, he would immediately become 
conversant with our excellent Constitution, and by recom- 
mending our exemplary system of economy, we have no 
doubt that a Branch Lunch under yours or his Majesty's 
immediate control, might be formed in Paris, in which all 
who belong to the Parent Lunch, might be admitted 
honorary members. This would open the way for a most 
friendly intercourse between the two Nations, and be 
attended with many happy results. Knowing the pro- 
pensity of the Savans of France, to pervert and transform 

* In the margin : "New members. Philip Hone, Isaac Hone, 
Dr. Augustine Smith, Hugh Maxwell, Professor James Dean, 
James Campbell (Surrogate), Dr. John B. Stevenson. — " 



i826] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 109 

English proper names, we most earnestly entreat you, 
Sire, to exert all your influence in preventing them from 
taking any liberties with the venerable name and title of 
our Association, "Le morceau de Pain et de Fromage'^ 
would be as un-dignified, as "Long Tom" changed into 
"To?n le Long.'' — 

We urge this upon you more particularly as due to 
your own glory. The name of "Lunch^'' is now identified 
with that of your Highness, and it will go down to 
Posterity in its company — You have thus. Sire, erected 
the same solid monument to your own fame, upon Bread 
and Cheese., which Napoleon did to the fame of his Vic- 
tories in the field of Mars, in the ''Marengo de Poulets^' 
and Louis le Grand, of his, in those of Venus, in the 
''Cotelettes a la Maintenon.'" 

Respectfully soliciting. Sire, a continuance of your 
Epistolary admonitions, and with fervent wishes for your 
personal happiness, We subscribe ourselves 

Your most dutiful and loyal Commissioners, 

L Morton 
Jacob Harvey Anthony Bleecker 
Wm. Gracie Chas. King 

FROM THE PRINCESS GALITZIN 

Mr. Cooper in his kind note having led me to hope 
that he would do me the honor of calling upon me some 
day, I should like to know if he has at his disposal next 
Wednesday evening, and having been told that Mrs. 
Cooper is in Paris, I should be glad if she would be of 
the party. 

If my health permitted me to go out I should have 
already been to see her. If Wednesday is not convenient 
for Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, I beg that they will be so 



no CORRESPONDENCE OF [1826 

kind as to name another day this week, for I am always 
at home, and I beg them to accept my compliments. 

La Princesse de Galitzin. 
Rue de Verneuil 

No. 29 I give you my address again, 

for I do not think that Mr. Cooper has kept my note, 

as I 

(Translation.) 



FROM THE PRINCESS GALITZIN 

I am very sorry, My dear Sir, to hear that you are 
not well. How are you to-day? I, too, was not able to 
attend the perfonnance yesterday, as Caumont arrived 
at six o'clock, from Russia: he came at once to me and we 
spent the whole evening en famille. The performance was 
superb, Mme. Mars in both plays, and the box unoc- 
cupied I 

I hope that I can make up for all that on Monday; — 
then — I hope that you will come to me to-morrow? Mrs. 
Cooper may dance a little to the harpsichord; they tell 
me she is fond of dancing — but this is not a ball. It is my 
daughter's birthday, and I will introduce her husband to 
you. 

With kind remembrances, my dear Sir. — 

P.S. I am glad to let you see that I know English. A 
propos — is Rcedwod by you? I find it listed under your 
name in a book seller's catalogue, and the moment I see 
''Affierican Novel by Cooper' my heart leaps. 

Will you not bring your nephew with you to-morrow? 
To Mr. Cooper 
No. 12, Rue St. Maur 

(Translation.) 



1826] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 111 

FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER SISTER 

Paris, November 28^\ 1826 
Fan is as fat as a little pig — and M''. Cooper says I 
am growing plump, but I believe it is a little french 
flattery. I wish I could say the same of him, but he has 
had wretched colds, which have made him thin and pale. 
This was quite unfortunate, as he has just been sitting 
for his picture, for engravings. It is a pretty good one, but 
has rather a french look. — They make quite a Lion of 
him, and Princesses write to him, and he has invitations 
from Lords and Ladies. He has so many notes from the 
Princess Galitzin, that I should be absolutely jealous, 
were it not that she is a Grandmother. We were at a 
Soiree there, the other evening, among Duchesses, Prin- 
cesses, Countesses, etc. They danced, some of the Demoi- 
selles beautifully; the manners of the French women in 
high life are highly polished — and they are perfectly lady 
like and well bred — but you would be surprised to hear 
how trifling in their conversation; their dress, their Man- 
tuamaker, their Marchande de Mode, form the great sub- 
ject with them — and they are generally, far from being 
pretty or delicate in their appearance, the size of M". 
Gilly Brown being far from remarkable among them. 
They wear an immense deal of jewelry, and their dresses, 
which set beautifully, even on these large ladies, and per- 
fectly so on more sizeable ones, are the oddest mixture of 
coulours — they appear to give a complete range to their 
fancy, and you see yellow, blue, orange, but above all red, 
in profusion. — I look at all these things as an amusing 
and interesting spectacle — but I must say that so far as I 
have been, and all, and whatever I have seen would only 
serve to endear the manners, and customs, and above all 
the simplicity of our Country. — We were the other day 



112 CORRESPONDENCE OF liSi-j 

at the Bibliotheque du Roi and among a splendid collec- 
tion of Cameos, saw some of Queen Elizabeth, which 
you must tell Mrs. Commodore Morris, with my love, 
look very much like her. — I wish I had time to give you 
an account of this Collection of curiosities but I must 
leave it for another time. 

I must try and find room to tell you, that we saw Sir 
Walter Scott repeatedly while He was at Paris. He was 
with us several times, and treated Mr. Cooper like a 
Son or Younger Brother, in the same vocation. He is a 
Giant in form, as He is one in Literature — to you who 
are craniologists, I must mention, that his head is uncom- 
monly high and narrow. He is very gray — and has a fine 
florid, healthy appearance — he talks a great deal and 
quotes old Ballads, and Shakespeare, very happily and 
pleasantly — and to this I will add that He has quite a 
rustic appearance — and still further, but this is for your 
private ear alone, that He put me in mind of one of our 
country Presbyterian Parsons. Altogether — He looks like 
a Man of powerful mind — kind and amiable, as if He 
liked fun — and withal very countrified. 

A merry Christmas to you all. 

FROM WILLIAM JAY 

Bedford 5th. Jan'^y 1827. 
Dear Cooper 

I was much amused with the lively picture you give 
me, of french Society. It entirely agrees with the opinion 
I had previously formed of it. There is I presume no city 
in which all the arts that minister to sensual gratification 
are carried to greater perfection than in Paris ; nor is there 
I suspect any city in which there is less real substantial 



1827] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 113 

happiness enjoyed. Vice and luxury lead to universal 
selfishness, and selfishness, by sacrificing the interests and 
happiness of others to individual gratification mars and 
interrupts the general welfare. I was lately shocked to 
find from some official documents, that of all who are 
annually born in Paris, one fourth are deserted by their 
parents, and of all who die, one tenth end their days in a 
hospital. What a frightful picture of vice and wretched- 
ness do these facts exhibit! In vain will the nation seek 
in the triumphs of its arms, and the splendor of its arts 
and sciences, a compensation for this extinction of natural 
affection, and this wide spread destitution and suffering. 
May our republican simplicity and religious habits never 
be exchanged for the magnificence, heartlessness and 
wretchedness of France. 

You will have heard, before this reaches you, of the 
result of our election. It was unexpected, and astonishing, 
and affords another proof of the instability of popular 
favour. Rochester, whose very name was scarcely known 
in the State, nearly succeeded in ousting Mr. Clinton; 
and the Bucktails have elected a Lieutenant Gov"" and 
have a majority in both houses of the Legislature. It is 
impossible to explain satisfactorily this sudden revolu- 
tion in public opinion. Clinton had done nothing since 
the last election to render him unpopular, and his friends 
could scarcely believe that any serious opposition w^ be 
made to his election; yet his majority is only about 3000. 
Many of his friends have declared for Jackson as the 
next Pres* in preference to Adams ; and it is supposed that 
the suspicion that Clinton was opposed to the general 
administration had an influence on the election; for it 
cannot be doubted that Adams is the choice of New 
York. Rochester was known to be a decided Adams man, 



114 CORRESPONDENCE OF [^1827 

and had been appointed by him Secy of the Panama 
Mission, 

In this County, the result of the election was as ex- 
traordinary as the total result in the State. We gave 
Clinton a majority of 300, and Aaron Ward, one of 600 
for Congress. Mr. Ward's competitor was John Haff, 
formerly of the Custom House in New York. Jn. Put- 
nam had 200 majority. Ward is just now making himself 
very conspicuous in Congress. Last summer a free black 
man, who had lived in the family of John Owen of Som- 
ers, was arrested at Washington, on suspicion of being a 
runaway slave, and in pursuance of an execrable law of 
the District, notice was given in the public papers, that 
unless his owner appeared to claim him he would be sold 
as a Slave to pay his Jail fees. A few of us called a 
County meeting, at which we passed some strong reso- 
lutions, and requested the Gov'' to claim the release of 
Horton (the man's name) as a citizen of this State. Mr. 
Clinton, much to his credit, wrote a very proper letter 
to the President, claiming Horton as a citizen of New 
York, and the man was discharged. Ward has just intro- 
duced a resolution instructing the Committee on the Dis- 
trict of Columbia to inquire into the circumstances of the 
case. The resolution was vehemently opposed by the hot 
bloods of the South, and the Mover treated with some 
rudeness, but the resolution passed by a large majority, 
and Ward has obtained a victory w'^ does him great 
credit. The people of this County have likewise for- 
warded a petition to Congress for the abolition of Slavery 
in the District. This petition when presented will prob- 
ably cause an explosion, but I have no doubt that the 
ultimate result will be good. 

If in your power, I wish you would give me in your 



18273 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 115 

next, some information relative to the condition and char- 
acter of the f rench Protestants, and the privileges allowed 
them by the Gov*. You will recollect that I am a de- 
scendant of the Huguenots and on that ace* as well as 
others feel no small interest in the protestants of France. 
I have been informed that they are not now permitted to 
erect any new churches, but are allowed to occupy those 
already built. Is this correct? I should like to know also 
whether protestants are promoted to civil offices; and 
whether their schools are in any degree controlled by the 
Gov*. I am also told that the formation of more Bible 
Societies in France has been forbidden. 

The present Gov* of France appears to be energetic 
and prudent, and I have no doubt that the Country en- 
joys a degree of prosperity to w^ it has long been a 
stranger. I hope no revolution will soon disturb its tran- 
quillity; but that the rights of the people and the 
Monarch will both be preserved. I have no question that 
the present Gov* is the best for France, and trust and 
believe that the people are quite satisfied with the nu- 
merous experiments they have made, and that they are not 
disposed to make any more. 

Remember me very kindly to Mrs. Cooper, and to 
Miss Susan; the other children I fear w'^ not recollect 
me. Write to me as often as you can conveniently; and 
let me know your plans and occupations. Be assured I 
shall read all you write with great pleasure and interest 
notwithstanding the labour of deciphering it. 

Yours very truly, 

William Jay. 



ii6 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1827 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Saturday [probably January or February, 1827] 
My dear Sir 

Here is the Book You Have expressed a kind wish to 
peruse, it Has Been compiled By two young men from 
American newspapers and a few private letters ; the more 
I think of the contemplated plan, and divesting it of 
Self as much as I can, the more sensible I am of its 
patriotic and general utility, the grand example given to 
the world By the institutions and practices of the U. S. 
is more than three fourths lost for want of Being properly 
exhibited. 

I am afraid this colder weather does not agree with 
you, let me know How You are and believe me 

Your affectionate friend 

Lafayette 

FROM MRS. JAY 

New York, 25th Jany., 1827 

You know a Lady's Curiosity and have taken an effec- 
tual method of making me write to You to enquire what 
the Secret is between You and Sir Walter. But I think 
I have already guessed it. I am delighted that he should 
pay you such a compliment. Not that any thing can make 
your Friends here think more highly of you, but because 
it shews that he has a proper sense of your merit and may 
be useful to You in Europe. 

You are really in high life and your lively descriptions 
almost make one realize the presence of Princes, Ambas- 
sadors, etc. Give my love to Mrs. Cooper and tell her it 
would gratify us not a little if she would tell us some- 



1827: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 117 

thing of the Ladies and their dresses, which you Gentle- 
men esteem of no consequence. 

I think I should like the Princess Gallitzin better than 
Lady Granville, tho' from her standing in Society I 
should like to have her Character more minutely de- 
scribed. 

I regret that Mrs. Robertson has not seen more of 
you. I am sure you would have been a favorite and expect 
yet to hear that you are good Friends. What has become 
of Dr. and Mrs. Jarvis^ you did not mention them in 
your last. 

Remember I expect a description of La Grange and 
of the Marquis at home with a sketch of his family. You 
must also tell us of your presentation at Court. But I find 
myself dictating. Any thing that comes from your origi- 
nal pen will be very acceptable. 

I fear we shall not see The Prairie in a long time. A 
transition from the gay and brilliant scenes by which you 
are surrounded to the wild uncultivated desert Prairie 
cannot be easy even to Mr. Cooper's powers. I hope your 
next novel will be a tale of high life in Europe ; in it you 
may introduce some fine descriptions of Switzerland's 
romantic Scenery, Glaciers, etc. But remember one novel 
of which the scene is laid in Europe will be enough. After 
that you must return to describing your native land. 

You must have been delighted with Sir Walter — does 
he converse in the same delightful strain that he writes'? 
has he an animated and expressive face? I could ask 
questions enough to fill several sheets, and write a letter 
without telling you what is going on here. 

You know there is a fashion for every thing — well, 
marrying has been all the rage this season; when you 
return there will be few young Ladies whom you can call 



ii8 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1827 

by their names. Susan Fish and Daniel LeRoy — Charles 
King and Miss Lane head the list. David Jones and 
Susan LeRoy are to be married in a fortnight. I believe 
you knov/ the latter Gentleman, tho' you would hardly 
recognize him dancing a cotillion. Many other Couples 
have gone and are going to Hymen's Altar. 

Tell Mrs. Cooper her Friends are all well. Martha was 
at a ball at our house not long since. I met Mrs. Dewint 
at the Atheneum a short time ago; she looked very well. 
Mr. Bradish as a great favor shewed us the first sheets 
you sent out, and I began to take a great interest in the 
tale when it was interrupted. Mary hopes Ellen Wade 
is not to be the heroine. Mr. Bradish is a great beau, and 
so is Mr. Harvey. The Lunch is still maintained with 
spirit. 

We are having a very gay winter, but go out only twice 
a week, which Mary (who is making her debut) and I 
think quite enough. We have had a great many strangers 
at our Parties — among others a Russian Prince, an Aus- 
trian Marquis, and a French Count. The last is a very 
gentee] young man, and I am told of a noble family — his 
name is Count de Flamerand; have you heard the name? 

The Signorina is singing at the Bowery Theatre and 
draws full houses. But to conclude all this trifling, let me 
assure you with great sincerity that we hope at no distant 
period to see you again full of anecdote and crowned with 
laurels. Mr. Jay and Mary unite with me in kind remem- 
brances to you Mrs. Cooper and your Daughters, and 
believe me sincerely 

Your friend and well wisher 

Mary Rutherford Jay 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq., Paris 



18273 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 119 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Tuesday morn, [probably February, 1827] 

My dear Sir 

I Have much regretted, when on my return Home, I 
found your card and that of Mrs. Cooper, to Have 
missed the pleasure of your kind visit, it Had Been my 
Hope to meet you last Saturday at Mr. Brown's evening 
party. I do not despair of the gratification for my family 
and myself to see you at our House this evening. But at 
all events send to know How you are By the continuation 
of this cold weather. I am continually adressed upon the 
utility of such a work as the one which you Have told 
me you Had not yet quite made up your mind, the other 
day the abbe de pradt was, with His usual warmth and 
eloquence, expatiating upon the advantages of precisely 
the same publication, frame and all, which Has Been the 
object of our conversations, I made a general answer. But 
How much more should His and every Body else's feel- 
ings Have Been excited, did they suspect who might Be 
the author. I am every day vexed at the European igno- 
rance of the U. S. this very morning the papers dwell 
upon the comparison of the proposed press Bill with what 
passes in England with respect to news paper publica- 
tions; Heavily enough taxed, you know, while they could 
Have availed themselves of what is so much more liber- 
ally practised in the United States. 

Excuse the scribbling on the other side, and Believe me 

Your affectionate friend 

Lafayette 
A Monsieur Cooper rue St 
Maur No. 12 
A paris 



120 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1827 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Saturday morn. [February 24, 1827] 
Just as You please, my dear Sir, But then we cannot 
go Before Wednesday 14th. Because I Have on Tues- 
day next a dinner given to me By the young men of those 
departments my native country, and Tuesday my evening 
party. I Had understood Mr. and Mrs. Brown's Thurs- 
day evening was an usual party. But I think with you 
that if it an extraordinary rout we must Both Be there. 
No matter when I see you kindly persist in your much 
welcome plan. Most truly and affectionately 

Yours 

Lafayette 

Mde. de Maubespin Has Been to talk with the gentle- 
man who keeps a pension and will give you an account 
of the conversation when you meet. She and Her Sister 
are at M. de Tracy's every Sunday evening no 38 rue 
d'anjou 

My Best respects to Miss Cooper, the papers say Sir 
Walter Scott at a public dinner Has declared Himself 
the sole author of His works. 

FROM EUGENE SUE 

M Paris, 3 march [1827] 

onsieur — ^ •- ' -' 

Several writers, kind rather than just, have in our 
newspapers done me the great honor of comparing one of 
my youthful efforts to your admirable and impressive 
productions. I know better, Monsieur, than to accept such 
praise for a work so imperfect ; but can truly say that the 
hope of earning by hard and conscientious labor the right, 
later on, to such a glorious comparison, will be the con- 
stant aim of my ambition. 



1827] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 121 

I have in the preface to my book expressed very feebly 
the admiration that I feel for the literature that you have 
created, for it would require many pages, Monsieur, to 
analyze that richness of imagination, that noble patriot- 
ism, and above all that ennobling and sublime philosophy, 
which mark your genius. 

Will you permit me, through the courtesy of Mr. Nay- 
ler, to offer you a very crude work, Plik et Plok^ which 
will convince you, Monsieur, how undeservedly flatter- 
ing, as regards myself, our journalists have been, for, like 
the poor man of the Gospel, I come away impoverished, 
bearing only a few forgotten ears, from the vast and 
fertile field of the rich man. 

I shall never forget. Monsieur, the kind reception 
which you accorded me at Mr. Rivere's, and should have 
come myself to present my book, if I had not feared to 
be intrusive, and to waste time so precious for literary 
work. 

I have the honor to be, with respect and admiration. 
Your obedient servant, 

Eugene Sue. 

(Translation.) 

FROM EUGENE SUE 

Monsieur — 

I regret exceedingly not to have been at home when 
you took the trouble to call. 

Not having been more fortunate yesterday, permit me 
to write you, to ask if you would like to go on next 
Friday to the Panorama of Naverin. It is the best day, 
because it is a jour reserve and there are many fewer 
people. 

If this arrangement should not suit you, or you should 



122 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1827 

prefer some other time, I shall be at your commands, only 
too happy in the hope of passing a little time with you, 
Sir, in explaining to you a battle which only needs an 
artist like you to immortalize it in history. 

Be so kind as to remember me to Mrs. Cooper, and 
believe that, with sentiments of admiration, I have the 
honor to be. 

Your faithful servant, 



(Translation.) 



Eugene Sue. 



FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER SISTERS 

4 March, 1827 
Caroline is quite well again in every respect, excepting 
that she remains a little deaf. She applies herself very 
diligently to her studies, and improves rapidly. We tell 
them that the return to America depends on their im- 
provement, and this we find a very powerful excitement 
to application with them all. Sue goes on very well with 
her painting. She brings us up weekly the heads of great 
Men, or great beauties. And they all dance very prettily; 
on Monday next they are to be at a little party at the 
Marquise de Terze's, where there is to be a shew of magic 
lantern. You must not be alarmed — this will only be the 
second time they have been out this winter, excepting 
their School ball. — I must tell you a little proof of their 
discretion and principles which I think will please you 
all. — Bals d' enfants are quite the mode here, and they 
are given as often on Sunday as any other day of the 
Week. Our little girls have repeated invitations, to those 
of the Princess Galitzin, who gives one that day to her 
Grandchildren every week — but when it was mentioned 
to them, they decidedly refused of themselves, without 



i827n JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 123 

the least interference from their father or me. You will 
perhaps say this is not much, but you must recollect where 
we are — at Paris, where it was predicted to me, that be- 
fore I had been here six months I should have been half 
a dozen times to the Opera on Sunday night. But I hope, 
and trusty we shall return to our Country, with the same 
love and reverence for this holy day, with which we left 
it — so far I have refused every invitation, and some of 
them from very great folks, for Sunday Parties. — On 
Thursday last we were at a great route at Mrs. 
Brown's — quite a magnificent affair — it was not a ball, 
for these consistent people, who dance and sew on Sunday, 
would not for the world dance during Lent. — There were 
a great many grandees — to begin with the order of prece- 
dence, I will first mention the Nuncio, who takes rank of 
all Ambassadors — he was accompanied by the ex-Nuncio, 
a Cardinal, who wore his cardinal's hat, of red velvet and 
gold, under his arm. The Nuncio himself was known by 
his little scarlet scapulaire, which just covers the crown 
of his head and to my protestant eyes had a very odd 
effect. They have both fine Italian faces. Then comes the 
Due and Duchess of Villa Hermosa, the Spanish Am- 
bassador and his Sposa — she is pretty — but in our Coun- 
try, would not be received in decent Society. The Prince 
Borghese, who perhaps you will remember, was the 
brother-in-law of Bonaparte. He is here on some ecclesi- 
astical affair from the Pope, a little fat fellow thicker 
than he is long. — A great many Duchesses, Princesses, 
and Countesses, whose titles I cannot spell, nor could 
you read, were I to write them — there was a Marquise 
perhaps sixty painted to the eyes, and dressed like a girl 
of sixteen with flowers and plumes. She is very rich, and 
married not a very great while since, a Young man, who 



124 CORRESPONDENCE OF CiSi; 

was in love with her Daughter. They were generally 
splendidly dressed, but very few of them very pretty — 
Lady Hunlock, an English woman, and her daughter, 
were a good deal remarked; I cannot say that I admire 
them very much — they are very large women, so much so 
I think as to be unfeminine; the Duke of Devonshire, is 
said to think differently, and that he would marry the 
Daughter, were it not, that he keeps his title, only on con- 
dition of remaining single. Baron Rothchild, the rich jew 
Banker, was of the Party — the Count and Countess 
Apponyi of the Austrian Embassy — she is a pretty 
woman and helps to keep me in countenance, among the 
fat beauties, being a little older, and rather thinner than 
I am. — They were a great many Americans, and between 
them and the Europeans, I will mention our good Gen- 
eral La Fayette, and his charming family. His daughter- 
in-law, Madame George, is a very sweet woman, and her 
daughters are pretty, and amiable; it is impossible to be 
more attentive, than they are, to our Countrymen. I like 
them very much, and hope to see a good deal of them this 
Summer — the General urges us, to come with the whole 
family, and pass it with them — this is of course out of the 
question — but if we remain where we are, we shall, I 
hope, pay them several visits. You will be glad to hear, 
that my dear Husband is much better — I think he even 
begins to grow a little fatter — he leaves me on Wednes- 
day for la Grange, where he goes, with the General, to 
pass a few days, and I hope the excursion will be of great 
service to him — I have not left myself room to say a 
word about our Countrymen at the Route of Mrs. 
Brown — except that Mrs. Robert Ray's party, the 
Primes and Sands, were of the number — and Gouver- 
neur Wilkins, who is talking of Italy and Greece. — 



1827] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 125 

Remember me to Mrs. Bayley and tell her that she must 
not be melancholy, and if she is not well, she must make 
the Dr. bring her to f ranee. 

With the tenderest affection my own dear sisters for 
yourselves and our dear father, most truly your Sister 

S. A. F. C. 



FROM LAFAYETTE 

Paris March 23d. 1827 
My dear Sir 

My friend and neighbor old Mr. Bastide, whose nephew 
transacts business for Mde. [illegible]. Has paid Her a 
visit, and altho' she was not determined to let Her coun- 
try place of le 5 [illegible], she Has consented to it, and 
said many kind things on the occasion. Her wish is to 
let the place for twelve months; Her friend Mr. Bastide 
observes that there would not Be much difference in the 
price which He does not know and waits to mention the 
subject until His nephew Has returned from a short 
journey and He knows whether you are satisfied with 
the premises. He says that for twelve months He sup- 
poses the price would Be twelve Hundred francs. I ob- 
served that a House could not Be Hired for the double of 
time that it is wanted. But of this we might talk in case 
the inclosed note appears satisfactory 

the furniture is two years old, plain, but perfectly clean 
and in good order, the drawing room's furniture is tapes- 
try: Of the remainder He Has also a general good 
opinion But cannot particularize, one Bed room Has two 
Beds, so is one of the upper rooms, altho those four upper 
rooms are destined to servants He Has, when a visitor, 
occupied one of them and found it comfortable, there are 



126 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1827 

two additional moveable beds that might Be placed in a 
room for children, let me add that la grange is in the 
vicinity and would receive your supernumerary visitors, 
it seems to me that some good arrangement for vegetables 
might be made with the Gardner. Let me know How this 
at first sight, portends itself to Mrs. Cooper and to you; 
because if you see a probability it might suit your purpose, 
I will write to morrow to George who is at la grange, and 
in consequence of His report, you would decide upon a 
personal visit and a negociation with Madame 
Most truly and affectionately 

Yours 

Lafayette 

the vicinity of Rosay is very convenient. Not one half 
the distance from Rosay to la grange 

MRS. COOPER TO HER FATHER 

Paris March 23d [1827] 
You will be glad to hear, my dear Father, that we are 
all pretty well. My dear Husband is looking much better. 
He passed the last week with General La Fayette, at La 
Grange; and I think the air of the country has been of 
service to Him. We dined yesterday with Mr. Welles, a 
rich Banker who is an American with a very pretty 
American Wife ; they have been very attentive to us. We 
met the General there with his Son, and Daughter-in- 
law, who is a very charming woman. There were a great 
many other very smart looking french People, whom I 
did not know, and an Englishman, who talked to me of 
the talent of my Countryman Cooper^ and to Mr. La 
Fayette, who sat next us, of the General. It was quite 
amusing, when in the course of the conversation. He 



1827] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 127 

heard us addressed by our names, to see how astounded 
he looked, to find he had been expressing his opinion, to 
the very individuals of the party, who were the most 
closely connected with them ; fortunately however he had 
only expressed his admiration. — We were the other eve- 
ning at a Soiree at the General's, where we met a great 
many distinguished People — Humboldt — Capt. Sabine, 
who accompanied Parry in his expedition — Benjamin 
Constant, and others. Constant has a very expressive and 
interesting face. He talks a great deal, and is said to talk 
better than any other Man in France. The Duchesse de 
Broglie, asked us to dinner, the other day — my Husband 
went, but I did not. I shall go however to some of her 
Soirees, to which she has invited us. She is the daughter 
of Mdme. de Stael, and Mr. Cooper, found her a very 
pleasing Woman with more beauty, but not so much 
sense, as her Mother is said to have had. She has however, 
what is worth more than either of them, the character, of 
being an affectionate Wife, and a correct and delicate 
Woman. — We dined not long since with Mrs. Brown, 
where we met a good many of the great folks — the pres- 
ent and ex-Ambassador from Spain, with their wives — 
the Prussian Ambassador with his Countess, a Saxon 
nobleman and his Lad)% Baron Hyde de Neuville, and 
some other great french Personages, male and female, 
and among them one of Buonaparte's Marechals — they 
were decorated with crosses and orders, for the Men 
here, wear almost as much jewelry as the females. There 
is no general conversation at a french dinner Party; every 
one talks with his Neighbor, in a low voice. They all rise 
together, after dinner, and on returning to the Sallon, the 
Conversation becomes general, and cheerful. The French 
in high Society, are as polished, and elegant in their Man- 



128 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1827 

ners, as it is possible, perhaps, to be — and there is cer- 
tainly a great charm in it, but there is a great deal of envy 
and scandal and low feeling among them, at the same 
time, and one cannot help seeing, that a "Lord is but a 
Man," after all. I do not trouble myself much with poli- 
tics, but I hear a great deal of discontent and dissatisfac- 
tion — the Royal Famil)^ here, are not much loved, or 
respected — and I have heard them spoken of, with per- 
fect contempt, by some of their respectable people — 
they look on the King as a superstitious bigot, and a tool 
of the Jesuits, whom they hate. They are telling horrid 
things too of the situation of England, which, were we 
to credit what we hear, would be on the eve of a bloody 
Revolution. I should think Europe would be sick of 
Revolutions — the french are very much ashamed of theirs 
and it is never alluded to in Society. So very sensitive are 
they on the subject, that they have even succeeded in 
establishing it as a breach of good breeding, to make the 
most distant allusion to it. 

I think it probable, we shall remain in Paris, through 
the next Winter and then say good bye to it altogether. 
We find our residence here pleasant. Mr. Cooper receives 
a great deal of attention, quite as much as inclination 
would prompt us, or circumstances make it prudent for 
us to accept. He gets paid for his last work, from Eng- 
land, France and Germany, which, though not so much 
in amount as from America, yet still is a very good 
thing. — I could fill another letter with affectionate mes- 
sages, but I have only left myself room to say that we all 
send our tenderest love to you. Believe me very affection- 
ately your Child 

S. A. Fenimore Cooper. 



1827:] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 129 

FROM CAREY, LEA & CAREY 

Phila., April 23, 1827 
Dear Sir 

Your favor of 23rd Feb. did not come to hand until 
the night before last, and the copy is not yet received. 
We hope it will come to-morrow, although even then it 
will hardly be in time to publish by the ist April as you 
anticipated. — We shall publish about the 10th May. We 
regret exceedingly not to have made a handsome wager 
with you upon the time of publication, as you offered. 
Fifty dollars per month, after first of January, would 
now be a good setoff against the Copyright. 

We have read the book in so many scraps that we have 
hardly an idea of it, nor shall we have until we can read 
the whole at leisure. We hope the world will like it, 
although we know that some person in New York has 
read it that has not spoken favourably of it. This is be- 
tween ourselves, and is stated only with a view of en- 
forcing the necessity of putting the book into the hands 
of the publisher only. 

Our last will have shewn you that we have not been 
alaraied by the Quarterly, but that the sale of Mohicans 
has not been so great as we anticipated. We certainly 
have not made sixpence by it, as yet. We hope Prairie 
will do better, and can only hope that the sale may in- 
crease so much as to render your book more valuable to 
you. It would afford us pleasure to be able to pay double 
the sum. 

We shall publish shortly a very handsome royal 18 mo. 
edition of all your books. When you have an opportunity 
send us a set of the plates for the French edition. We may 
have a set engraved at a future time. 



130 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1827 

The market is not yet cleared of the old editions and 
they are much in our way. We were obliged to make an 
arrangement with Collins & Hannay for 250 Pioneers to 
get their permission to publish an uniform edition of 
which we are to sell none of the Pioneers separately. You 
may judge how many of the others must have been in 
the market, when we tell you that we offered our new 
edition at the Trade Sale last month, at a very moderate 
price and only 20 copies were taken. We hope, however, 
that a little time will clear the way for us, and that we 
may then make up for lost time. 

We are sorry that we have nothing to give you in re- 
turn for the Russian Ball. We simple republicans go on 
in our dull jog trot, with every one doing well and no one 
doing so well as to enable him to get over the heads of all 
the rest. Rely upon it, however you may have in Paris 
"La 7naladi du ■pays'" you will find New York and Phila- 
delphia very dull when you return. You have too much of 
it in Paris, but here you will want some and not find any. 
You had better come home at once and depend upon 
educating your children here. 

In the literary world we are as quiet as usual. All the 
world is looking with anxiety for Napoleon, and we are 
exceedingly anxious for the remainder that we may 
gratify them. The Quarterly is doing remarkably well, 
and we expect to have shortly as great a circulation as 
your friends of the North American. Mr. Walsh is well 
but very busy. His paper and Review keep him well em- 
ployed. You say nothing of the Souvenir article, which 
we hope you have not forgotten. 

You should make some arrangement to have your next 
book translated into Russian, Italian and Spanish. If 



1827] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 131 

you can then get a good copyright for them all, you will 
double in fame and fortune. 

We are dear Sir 

Yours truly 

Carey, Lea & Carey 
You will see that we have made 
an addition to our firm since 
our last. 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq. 

P.S. As a commentary upon the expediency of sending 
your copy to any person except the publisher, we state 
that if you had addressed the copy to us we should have 
had it two days since. This morning we have a letter from 
John Wiley who informs us that Mr. Bradish could not 
spare it until this day, and we shall have it to-morrow. 
After so many delays, it is rather vexatious to be delayed 
in this manner 3 days, when for our own gratification we 
would not delay it an hour. If it must be read then, cer- 
tainly less than three days should be sufficient for that 
purpose, unless more than one person was to have the 
reading of it. This is for yourself alone., and we presume 
it will satisfy you of the correctness of our impression 
that the book should not pass through any other hands 
than those of your bookseller. 

P.S. April 25. The copy is received but pages gy to 14^ 
are deficient I No duplicate has arrived — nor have we had 
duplicates of one half of the book. Of course if any 
parcels have been lost, there is not the slightest chance of 
publishing the Book until we can hear from you again. — 
We are inclined to think we have never received any copy 
so badly — of some parts zve have triplicates — of 77iuch we 
have no duplicates — sometimes you send to us — some- 



132 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1827 

times to Mr. Bradish — frequently without advice, so that 

we never know whether or not to look for copy. The 

result is most unfortunate. The Book is imperfect and so 

it is likely to remain, as no copies will be sent from 

Europe. 

P.S. No. J, April 28. Complete!! 

FROM JACOB HARVEY 

New York May 14th 1827 
Dear Cooper 

Your official letters to the "Lunch" and the accom- 
panying note to myself, reached me in Philadelphia the 
other day, whilst I was there on a visit — for both I feel 
much obliged to you, and I acquit you of forgetfulness, 
which some of your "children''' were disposed to lay at 
your charge when talking of the "Constitution" on our 
club nights. I am truly sorry to find that illness was the 
cause of your long silence, especially as it would seem 
that the climate of France disagrees with you — of Paris, 
perhaps I should say, and I hope when you reach the 
Provinces you will find a more genial atmosphere. I shall 
be anxious to hear of your complete recovery. You used 
to be so hear I y (to use an Irish expression) here, I never 
once thought of your being sick, and I hope by this time, 
you will almost have forgotten the attack. 

Were you not very much shocked to hear of poor 
Bleecker's death? I do not know when / was more so. 
He regularly attended the Lunch up to the commence- 
ment of his illness, which at first was but a severe cold, 
and none of us thought him in any danger until a day or 
two before his decease. The doctors say that there was a 
radical defect in the stomach which had been increasing 
gradually for a year past, and when once attacked, they 



18273 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 133 

gave up all hopes of his recovery. I have never known a 
man more regretted by his circle of acquaintance — every 
one esteemed him, and at his funeral all were real mourn- 
ers! He possessed a good heart and most happy temper, 
which had endeared him to all his friends, and at our 
meetings where we used to see both displayed continually, 
we miss him very much. After his death, we had but two 
or three "Lunches" — it was growing late in the season, 
and his unexpected loss, cast a gloom over us, which 
hastened our adjournment. — 

The Lunch, on the whole, was well attended during 
the winter, and you were often the topic of conversation — 
we heard of you frequently thro' some of our members, 
and we took much interest, as in duty bound, in the atten- 
tions which you received from the great men of Europe. 

I have shewn your letter to several of our members and 
shall do so to the others, as I meet them, and I need 
hardly say that they receive your parental admonitions 
with great cordiality. — We hope next winter, you will be 
obliged to return amongst us to preserve your ''ortho- 
doxy''' untainted. — 

I met Shubrick in Baltimore where he was on a visit 
to his family after his return from the West Indies — he 
requested me to enclose you a letter for Mrs. Cooper from 
his wife. — He has given up his command for the present, 
owing to her ill health. 

I think you take a correct view of European politics, 
and I shall not be at all surprised to see a war between 
the Apostolical party and the Liberals. It must end in 
the overthrow of the former, for I cannot imagine it possi- 
ble, that there will be a retrograde to the "dark ages" even 
on the continent. 

The change of Ministry in England will of course in- 



134 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1827 

fuse fresh spirit into the exertions of the Liberals, and 
perhaps it may, for the present, overawe their oppo- 
nents — but the tempest is brewing, and horrible will be 
the devastations, when the storm breaks out! 

Our local atmosphere is filled with conflicting ele- 
ments — but the mischief is confined to ourselves. The 
present Administration is certainly unpopular, but 
whether it will be changed or not, two years hence, it is 
useless now to predict — the people are too uncertain in 
their feelings, to render political foresight of much avail. 

We are all anxiety to read The Prairie^ and we scold 
the publishers for depriving us of that pleasure so long: 
they promise, however, to issue it this week. Report says 
that we are to have another from the same Author in the 
fall. I understand that he is at present somewhere in 
Europe, and if you should chance to meet him, let him 
know how very glad his American friends would be to 
have this report confirmed ! 

We have had an excessively gay winter and are threat- 
ened with a renewal of festivities, in commemoration of 
a Matrimonial alliance that has just taken place between 
Governor Clinton's son and Miss Hone. Your friend 
Miss Jay has been a great Belle this season, and is very 
handsome. I was there a few evenings since at a small 
party — they are very well. Wishing you much pleasure 
and restored health during the summer, I remain 

Yours very truly 

Jacob Harvey 

FROM THE PRINCESS GALITZIN 

June 21 [1827] 
Dear Mr. Cooper, 

I told Dr. Dosana that you would be here between 



1827:] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 135 

three and four o'clock, and he waited for you until half 
after four, when he was forced to go to Miss Duvivier, 
who is sick abed. What day do you wish to see him? and 
at what hour? He asks me to find out from you, and he 
will be punctual at the hour you name. My kindest 
regards. 

I suppose that you will come to-morrow or Saturday at 
four o'clock, and that you will tell us the day that you 
wish to see us at Rouen. As my son leaves us on Tues- 
day, we shall not have a free day until then. 

A kiss for Mrs. Cooper, and for you too if she will 
permit it. This word "kiss" has slipped off my pen because 
I am so in the habit of using it in writing to my 8 chil- 
dren, and I have no time to re-write my letter. 
Mr. Cooper 

House of Mr. Themeau-fils 
at Rouen. 

(Translation.) 



TO MR. MOORE, PARIS 

St. Ouen, Oct. 2ot\ 1827 
Dear Sir 

Accompanying this you will receive 3^ vol. of Rover 
with Preface, etc., complete. The last vol. was sent to 
America by the ship of the 15*^ and the French Pub- 
lishers are just beginning to print, and the last sheets are 
withheld from the German edition. I do not wish the 
book to be published much before the 1®* Dec; but think 
it advisable to put Mr. Colbume in a condition to go on 
leisurely and to get ready. I wish you would consult me 
as to the day of publication, and I will name one for you 
at least a day sooner than in Paris as understood. 



136 CORRESPONDENCE OF ni827 

I have a new work a good deal advanced, and one that 
I think will attract attention in England. It is not a 
novel. \Notions of the A?nericans.'] 

The subject is of much interest for your country, and 
though it is one of fact, will be sufficiently embellished 
by adventure and fiction to give it interest to general 
readers. I prefer however not to commit its nature to 
paper, but would wish to treat with Mr. Colburne con- 
cerning its publication. It will be ready in February. 

I shall also have a tale for this time next year, of 
which I will shortly advise vou. \_The Wept of Wish-ton- 
Wish.'l 

Yours very sincerely 

J. Fenimore Cooper 



FROM LAFAYETTE 

La grange October 22 1827 
My dear Sir 

An English friend of mine, connected with the Editor 
of the inclosed Review, Has sent some numbers to me 
with a request that it should Be announced in the french 
papers. I therefore Have sent it to the Constitutional 
and the Courrier. But Having cast an eye on the June 
publication I found extracts from letters of Mr. Burke, 
just come out, where the price of His Apostacy, very short 
of His Mark, as you will see, His true opinion of the poli- 
tics of Mr. Pitt, and a preliminary observation of the 
Editor Respecting the genuine motives of His changing 
sides, seem to me more correctly stated than in those of 
our American publications that talk of Him as if He 
were an oracle in every thing relating to the European 
Revolution. I thought some quotations of Burke Himself 



18273 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 137 

in His confidential letter might come a propos for Your 
actual occupation, or at least that they may be of some 
interest to You. Be pleased to Return the number when 
you Have done with it. 

I also send you an Answer just received to several 
queries Respecting Florida, which I also Beg you to 
Return in time as I may need to show it to European 
Affiateurs. 

Our young Scotch visitor Has left us, fully composed, 
pleasant, good natured, and affectionate. His Remarks 
relative to America, the Bust, the portraits, were quite 
the Reverse of those He Had the first days so strangely 
uttered. He told me with tears that no where for a long 
time He Had found quiet and sympathy for his suffer- 
ings, and that the Society at la grange Had done Him 
much good. His servant told our people He was an 
excellent master. He spoke, if He lives which He much 
questions, of ending His days in the U. S. 

The inhabitants of la grange join with me in affection- 
ate Respects to Mrs. Cooper and you all. most truly 

Your friend 

Lafayette 

FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER SISTER MARTHA 

Paris Nov. 27th [1827] 
I am sure you will be glad to hear, that Mr. Cooper 
is looking better than he has done for a long time, that 
He is growing fatter, and as to his strength, when I tell 
you that he walked about a fortnight since, round the 
walls of Paris, which is more than seventeen miles, in 
five hours, you will think I need say nothing more; — an 
American Naval Officer was with Him, and when they 



138 CORRESPONDENCE OF [iSiS 

had completed the Circle they held a consultation 
whether or not, they should turn round and walk it back 
again. — Red Rover makes its appearance at Paris and 
London to-day and in about a fortnight — before this 
letter reaches you, at least, You will have become ac- 
quainted with Him. I think you will like Him, although 
you will find the Hero, in a different style from plain 
simple hearted old Natty. You will be startled I suppose 
in seeing some of the names and say like old Quintard, 
of himself and Mr. Pintard, we must be relations, there 
is only the difference of a letter or two in our names. — I 
scolded a little, but the Author said it was a pretty name, 
and common enough not to make it look at all pointed. — 
There are several American Families at Paris this 
Winter — Mr. and Mrs. George Gibbs, she was a Miss 
Vandenheuvel, and perhaps was a school fellow at Mrs. 
Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Henry, who have the Consulate 
at Gibralter — Dr. and Mrs. Jarvis, the latter is in very 
delicate health, having never recovered the effects of her 
confinement, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, and ourselves — I 
like Mr. and Mrs. H. very much, but nevertheless, I am 
very glad that Mary Jay, has refused their Nephew — but 
I suppose it is not worth while to say any more upon the 
subject. 

Most truly and tenderly, 
S. A. F. C. 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

January 8th [1828] 
I have been in quest of you, my dear Sir, and unfor- 
tunately Happened to arrive at your Hotel rue des 
Champs Elysees immediately after you Had left it. I 
return to la Grange to morrow with the Bride and Bride- 



i828] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 139 

groom immediately after the marriage that will take 
place a quarter before ten at the Municipalite rue du fau- 
bourg St. Honore jusque au loin de la Madeleine and 
immediately after at the Assumption Chapel, a church 
which you will know — in the same st Honore St. the 
Bridegroom and family are in deep mourning for the 
Recent loss of His Sister, which Has prevented our send- 
ing formal invitations and making what is called a wed- 
ding. But the American minister Mr. Sheldon, and the 
Consul at Paris are pleased to Honor with their presence, 
the Much Contracted Matrimonial Circle, the Consul at 
Lyons would be very welcome. I will return on the 18th 
We Have thought our arrangements might be very Un- 
happily again defeated By the immediate danger of Mde. 
de Segur our aunt and friend. She is a little Better, and 
we Have determined on to morrow 9th. this letter will 
reach you I Hope to night before your Sleeping Hour 
and I am your very affectionate friend. 

La Fayette 

My Best Respects to Mrs. Cooper and family. I am 
delighted with your Rover, the description of a french 
marriage is not so picturesque. But the events of a 
friendly family are interesting to your kind Heart. 

FROM AUGUSTE LEVASSEUR 

Paris, Mar. 3rd, 1828 
No. I— 

It is very natural that an author should incline toward 
a description of the fiftieth anniversary of Bunker's hill. 
However, the first entry into Boston of Lafayette, after 
a resolution of Congress had invited him to disembark 
within her walls, offers scenes of great interest. It would 



140 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1828 

be well to recall some of these, particularly his first visit 
to Charlestown and Bunker's hill, where an immense con- 
course of people awaited him, and the address in which, 
on these classic heights, looking out on the one side 
toward a vast free continent and on the other toward the 
continent of Europe, he renders solemn homage to the 
principle of resistance to oppression. 

This address will be found in the book which Mr. 
Cooper now has. It was a wonderful day — that of the 
laying of the corner stone of the Bunker Hill monument, 
and of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the 
battle. This picture, depicted by a great artist, would be 
sublime. It seemed as though all of New England was in 
Boston. People had come there in great numbers from 
New York, from Philadelphia, from Charleston, and 
from other parts of the United States. The weather was 
superb, brilliant sunshine with great heat, though endur- 
able. The most impressive of these scenes were the laying 
of the comer stone, under the auspices of the State au- 
thorities, by the President of the Committee, the Grand- 
Master of the Masonic Order, and General Lafayette, 
who had arrived two days before, according to promise, 
on his return from a tour of nearly four months, stretch- 
ing over five thousand four hundred miles, one continual 
round of visits. 

The arrangement of the great platform, facing the 
immense throng, where fifteen or twenty thousand per- 
sons could hear the address of the Orator of the day, the 
prayers, and the admirable hymns sung on this occasion. 
Dr. Thacher had fought at Bunker's Hill. His white 
locks fell in long curls on his shoulders, and when he 
raised toward heaven, in gestures of supplication, his 
hands emaciated by age, and when he uttered in a strong 



i828] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 141 

voice a long prayer, all who heard him were deeply 
moved. 

All the officers and soldiers of the Revolution, who 
had gathered from great distances, were seated directly 
opposite the platform, the veterans of Bunker's Hill 
forming a group by themselves. Seated in an armchair, 
the head and centre of the group of veterans, was the one 
surviving general of the Revolution. It was a very touch- 
ing sight, at the moment when the Orator of the day 
addressed himself to these veterans of the Revolution, to 
see them all rise and bare their white locks to receive the 
thanks tendered them in the name of the people, and with 
the assent and approbation of this immense throng. 
Lafayette stood up again, but alone, to hear that part of 
the oration which was addressed to him personally. 

Mr. Cooper certainly has the beautiful oration of Mr. 
Webster. Everything about this ceremony was impres- 
sive, powerful, and affecting. 

There was in a vast enclosure, built of boards for this 
occasion, a hall that would seat four thousand, filled to 
its utmost capacity, without counting the crowds that 
moved about, and so arranged that the speeches and 
toasts could be heard perfectly. When they had drunk to 
the health of Lafayette, he concluded his acknowledge- 
ment with the following toast, significant enough, — 

"Bunker hill and the holy resistance to oppression 
which has already enfranchised the American hemisphere. 
The next half centur}- jubilee's toast shall be — to en- 
franchised Europe." It might be interesting to give this 
toast word for word. 

General Lafayette is a little better. I do not think, 
however, that he will be able to go out under a fortnight. 

I have numbered this letter No. I, and I will number 



142 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1828 

those that follow, that you may be sure that all reach you. 
We beg that you will let us know how you and Mrs. 
Cooper are. 

Your devoted and affectionate 

Levasseur 
Fenimore Cooper, Esq., London 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Paris May 3d 1828 
My dear Sir 

I See with much pleasure By your last letter that we 
may expect You in a short time. You will not probably 
leave the Western part of Europe Before the Book is 
finished, and as I find You are launched into the fine 
Circles of London Society, I suppose the work may be 
Somewhat retarded on that account altho' I know your 
Writing Hours are in the morning, those envois Have, to 
my great gratification Reached me. I have sent them 
directly to Versailles by le Vasseur's father who lives 
there, which saves time. Miss preble Has been indis- 
posed But is getting Better. I have been very sorry to 
Hear that my excellent friend duke of Bedford has Had 
a new attack of palsy, and Beg you to let me know How 
He is. We Have dined last Thursday at our friend's 
Mr. and Mrs. Brown; it was a kind dinner to our Bride 
Natalie which Had been postponed on Account of my 
indisposition But, notwithstanding the Hospitable and 
Affectionate good spirits of dear Mrs. Brown, I was 
much grieved to perceive Her Health was not improving. 
We Have Had some American Arrivals, among whom 
Mrs. Cruger and family. My time is much taken Up by 
the obligation to sit for five Hours every day in the cham- 
ber of deputies — in return for Your valuable, most inter- 



1828] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 143 

esting and gratifying sheets, I send you what I took the 
opportunity to say lately in the House, and a few obser- 
vations of the Roial Gazette upon it, a Bad Bartering 
Bargain for you to make. But it may a moment amuse 
you. My views of this Representative Government you 
already knew, if you think it worth translating it is much 
at your service. As to the Gazette it is true the man I 
complimented is a Roi'alist lately Chef de Legion in the 
dissolved National guard. I am ever pleased when either 
friends or foes do justice to my American principles and 
feelings. Present my affectionate respects to Mrs. Cooper, 
remember me to all friends about You, particularly to 
Lord and Lady Holland, to our American diplomate, 
and Consul ; receive the friendly Regards of the whole 
family and Believe me forever 

Your affectionate friend 

La fayette. 

FROM SIR WALTER SCOTT 

9th May [1828] 
My dear Sir 

I have just met a gentleman of the household who tells 
me I am commanded to attend his majesty on Sunday. 
This in compliance with the etiquette of this country 
obliges me to break off other engagements. 

It would be very ungrateful of me to be thankless for 
the attention of my sovereign but I truly wish his com- 
mands had come for another day — as they break the 
pleasure of going to Hampton Court with Mr. Rogers 
and you. 

Yours truly 

W. Scott 



144 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1828 

FROM CHARLES WILKES 

New York, 16 May, 1828 
My dear Sir 

I observe that LaVasseur has published or is about to 
publish an account of LaFayette's visit to this country. 
I should doubt the success of it very much, at least in 
America — not that he will be wanting in praises, but 
what can he know of us, seeing the country as he did, 
perpetually in holiday clothes'? I have no doubt you are 
perfectly right in what you say about the improved state 
of liberties of France and these struggles shew indis- 
putably, that they are learning the trade of politicians 
and they will value what they gain the more, trifling as 
each successive gain may be, by the efforts made, while the 
constant discussion of the principles as well as practice 
of a liberal and free government will more and more pre- 
pare the public at large for the enjoyment and defence of 
it when they do obtain it. I hope you think worse of Eng- 
land than it deserves — I cannot believe that there is any 
danger of a serious attempt on their constitution or that 
the common people, except what arises from the burden 
of taxation, have much to suffer. — To be sure that is, I 
fear, a weighty exception. — Yet even in that respect in 
my last hasty visit to that country, I saw little of distress 
among the people. It is true that compared to this happy 
country, there is an immeasurable distance in the situa- 
tion of the working class, as to the chance of raising them- 
selves to better circumstances — any man here, with com- 
mon industry and common capacity may, at the end of 
every year, find himself more and more independent as to 
money, while in England, in the lower classes, there is 
little prospect of it — but as to being well fed and 
cloathed, compare the English peasant with that of any 



i828] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 145 

European country and I think the advantage will be on 
his side and still more as to general intelligence and 
morals — taking them as a mass. Yet I should be very far 
from tenacious of these opinions, for I have learnt every 
year of my life more and more to distrust the results of 
observations made, as travellers nine times out of ten 
make them. I am surprised at what you tell me of the 
expenses of living in France, Mrs, Cruger, to whom I 
mentioned before she left us, some of your opinions on 
these points, told me she had very different accounts from 
others and that she expected to find a very favourable 
change since she had left France — but, for some reason 
or other, she was anxious to go and then you know how 
prone the human mind is to make every thing bend to 
the favorite object. — If economy was the object, I fear 
from what you say that she will be mistaken. Miss De 
Lancey is married to Mr, McAdam, We have been sur- 
prised at not having heard the news from Mr, McAdam 
himself. From what I know of Mr. McAdam I should 
say that she had every prospect of being happy with him, 
for I never knew a kinder or better husband than he 
made to his former wife, who, I fancy, on more than one 
point, tried his patience a great deal. We are so deeply 
plunged into party squabbles about the presidential ques- 
tion that everything else seems of less impor<tance. Both 
parties boast of their chances of success. The Jackson 
men are the louder and most positive I think — but I 
believe the result is really, yet, quite uncertain. I, who 
care much less about that question than most of my 
friends and neighbors, am infinitely more interested about 
the chances of war in Europe. Our latest accounts seem to 
make, at least, war almost unavoidable. I sincerely hope 
any spark of it may be quenched before it blazes out. 



146 CORRESPONDENCE OF CiSiS 

When once fairly entered into, who can tell where it is 
to end or who will be able to keep out of it*? If Great 
Britain is seriously engaged in it, could we escape*? I 
much fear not, considering how many in both countries 
would be not unwilling to try the issue of another war. 
No person can reasonably doubt the power of each coun- 
try to do infinite mischief to the other, but he must be 
wise indeed who can discover any real advantage to 
either. I most anxiously hope the trial may not be 
made. 

John Loudon McAdam was the inventor of the so-called Mc- 
Adam or macadamized roads. He was born in Scotland in 1756. 
He was Surveyor General of Metropolitan Roads in 1827. He 
refused to be knighted. He married Anne Charlotte De Lancey, 
sister of Mrs. James Fenimore Cooper, as his second wife. He 
died at Moffat, Dumfriesshire, in 1836. 

FROM CHARLES WILKES 

New York, June 30, 1828 
My dear Sir 

Basil Hall is here just now, on the eve of departure for 
London, and sails to-morrow — what his intentions are, as 
to publishing, I do not know, and he speaks uncertainly — 
yet I have no doubt he will make a book at last — for he 
will be unwilling to make no account of the mass of mate- 
rials he has collected. He has taken infinite pains and 
certainly came to America very much inclined to think 
most favorably of our people, our country, and our insti- 
tutions — perhaps too favorably, for I think he has been 
disappointed. After all, a year is too short a time to study 
thoroughly a nation and a vast country. There has been 
an unaccountable disposition to make false reports of his 
conduct and of his opinions, and altho' after taking a 



i828: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 147 

good deal of pains, I have never yet found any ground for 
the calumnies and many of them I have detected as abso- 
lutely false and without the slightest foundation of truth, 
yet I think he must have wanted a good tact in his inter- 
course with us, to have created such a hostility. If he does 
publish, I think his work will be at least very amusing, 
for he writes extremely well 

My kindest regards to Mrs. Cooper. 

Always very sincerely 
Y^" friend 

Chas. Wilkes 

Basil Hall was born in Edinborough in 1788. He was a Cap- 
tain in the British Navy in 1817. He wrote a number of books of 
travel; among them Travels in North America in 1827-28, which 
was violently attacked by the American press. He also wrote some 
stories and at least one romance. He became insane and died in 
1844. 

Charles Wilkes was a prominent New York business man ; 
highly cultivated, as appears by his letters, and interested in 
politics, art, and literature. In 1824-25 he was Cashier of the 
Bank of New York and then lived at 76 Broad Street. In 1826-27 
he was President of the bank and living at 28 Laight Street. 

FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER SISTER MARTHA 

Paris, July nth [1828] 
I have just received a present of a beautiful Bust, in 
marble, of Mr. Cooper; sculptured by M. David and an 
excellent likeness — I wanted to send it to Mrs. Jay, to 
take charge of for me, until our return — but Mr. Cooper 
has cheated me, and sent it to Mr. Charles Wilkes — it is 
one of the best resemblances I have ever seen — M. David 
who presented it, as a testimony of his respect for my 
Husband — sends out at the same time, a fine Bust of 



148 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1828 

General La Fayette, sculptured by himself, as a present 
to the American People — which is also an uncommonly 
good resemblance — the General has quite recovered and 
in August, another of his granddaughters is to be mar- 
ried — Mile, de Laysterie. The Bradford affair is said 
to be quite off. 

Most truly and tenderly, 

S. A. F. C. 

FROM PIERRE JEAN DAVID 

Paris September 13th 1828 
Your letter my dear Cooper gave me much pleasure. 
I thank you with all my heart for your amiable remem- 
brance of me. How truly kind I should consider it if you 
would devote a few of your leisure moments to me in the 
course of your travels, that I may know what you have 
seen, and how you are getting on, 

I have done what you wished with your bust, it is now 
on its way to its destination, I have also sent a copy of it 
to my native town, Angers, the inhabitants there have 
placed it in the museum, and all the admirers of your 
sublime genius are happy to have so favorable an oppor- 
tunity of studying your features; unfortunately it is but 
a feeble delineation of the original : I am going to send 
several of them to different Towns in France where I 
have friends who appreciate the excellence of your works. 
You ask me if my Conde has yet marched in on its 
pedestal'? Yes it has; and for its back-ground it has the 
sky which makes the most inferior Statue look well ; the 
public appeared satisfied with it somebody said one day 
"that it had a very imposing air and that it looked like a 
stonn" you see that the poetical language begins to gain 
ground amongst us. 



i828] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 149 

Shall we have a translation of the letters you are writ- 
ing on the beautiful country you now inhabit? and the 
novels also that you intend to write will they be trans- 
lated into french? 

I have an earnest desire to read all your productions 
for those that I have read delighted my very soul. 

You will see by this letter that I am studying Eng- 
lish — on your return to Paris I hope I shall be able to 
converse with you in your own language. 

I thank you for your good wishes; — I am certainly 
ambitious to have a good wife it is a treasure that I shall 
be happy to possess; I like and esteem so highly the 
ladies, that it appears to me that it would not be difficult 
to find one good and generous even to heroism, 
adieu my dear Cooper 
believe me to be 

Your faithful friend 

David 
P.S. Pray present my respects to 
Madame Cooper 

I had nearly forgotten to tell you that 
I have given one of your busts 
to your ambassador. 

if you wish it I can send you the same extracts of 
jeane d'arc, which I gave you before. 

Pierre Jean David, known as David d'Angers, was born in 
1789. He died in 1856. He was a very celebrated French 
sculptor. He executed the pediment of the Pantheon. He fought 
in the July revolution on the side of the people. The bust men- 
tioned is still in the possession of Cooper's descendants ; it bears 
on the base the inscription "A James Fenimore Cooper. P J David 
D'Angers 1828" and in a letter from Mrs. Fenimore Cooper is 
described as a perfect likeness. 



150 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1828 

FROM CHARLES WILKES 

New York, Sep* 30, 1828 
My dear Sir 

Since I last wrote to you I have received your kind 
and very entertaining letter of the 30th June from Paris. 
I am very much amused with your accounts of the society 
you met with in London, altho' I do not always agree in 
your opinions nor perhaps exactly in the results of your 
observations. I did not see Lord Grey and was not pre- 
pared for hearing him as much praised as you do — he has 
always had, I think, a character of reserve and hauteur, 
unusual in good company. I think I liked Lord Keix as 
well as any of the whigs I saw — I liked M*" Abercromby 
very well and I did not see Brougham except for an 
instant. I did not like Sir James Mcintosh at all — it 
cannot be denied that he has infinite funds of information 
and I have no doubt has great talents — but his conversa- 
tional power seemed to me to be exerted too much ex 
cathedra — and that there was constantly apparent a 
cold hearted selfishness and self-complacency, naturally 
enough perhaps the consequence of his success as a talker, 
but rather disgusting. I thought the same of Allen and of 
Wishart, who are great authorities among the Whigs, 
altho' neither of them in parliament. I thought Sharp, 
whom perhaps you have not met, a pleasanter talker in 
most company than either of the others, but I rather 
found him trite and commonplace except when in de- 
fense of an absolute paradox, probably started to be 
defended. The professed wits, from whom something 
smart is expected or who, at least, think so themselves, 
whenever their mouths are opened, are, in my opinion, 
very insufferable companions at all times. The painters 
talk most of repose, as a great merit in their composi- 



i828] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 151 

tions — the same thing is wanted and agreeable in poetry 
and eloquence, but it has always struck me that it could 
not be more necessary any where than in conversation. I 
was surprised at Mcintosh's blunders about the Venus — 
not that I expected from him the least real taste — I 
really think five minutes with him would prevent any 
such expectation, but I wonder, with the accuracy of his 
memory and knowledge, which is wonderful, as I have 
always heard Jeffery say, that he should so forget what 
every Tyro in the arts learns, as his alphabet. I should 
think it was the Venus a belles lettres that you was look- 
ing at. You say nothing of Brougham. I should think, all 
things considered, variety of attainment, accuracy, ver- 
satility and industry, he was the most extraordinary man 
in England. I have read your notions with great pleas- 
ure — I think you have made a most excellent plaidoyer 
for your country — for I cannot help owning that I con- 
sider it, as it was perhaps very fair to make it, an ex 
parte statement; altho' I admit it is not easy to point out 
any inaccuracy in your facts — perhaps it is in your deduc- 
tions from them that one might find some parts a little 
doubtful. — I have smiled now and then when I recol- 
lected how indignant you was sometimes with my poor 
Miss Wright for her nauseous flattery, as I believe you 
called it — if her's was a picture all of lights and with no 
shadows, you will hardly escape the same charge. I cannot 
agree with you in either of two opinions in both of which 
you seem confident — I do not think there is any hatred of 
America among the people of England as a nation. There 
may be in a certain class of politicians — a small one how- 
ever — something like it, but among the mass of educated 
people in England I thought I always saw a leaning 
towards America — a sort of feeling, that America, altho' 



152 CORRESPONDENCE OF QSiS 

no longer a part of the same nation, was yet something 
quite distinct from a stranger nation — a kind of tertiuni 
quid between native and foreigner — while on the other 
hand, I am very much mistaken indeed, if there be not, in 
a great portion of the American people, a great dislike of 
England and a great jealousy of its power and intentions. 
This feeling has made, and I believe would now make, a 
war with England not unpopular; and while the remem- 
brances of Whig and Tory are sedulously kept up by one 
of the political parties of the country and the occurrences 
of the wars so often recurred to, and it will continue to 
be a popular topic, I do not see what can ever prevent the 
cause from producing the effect. Nor is it strange that it 
should be so — England never felt at her firesides or the 
homes of her people the ravages of hostile armies — she 
only knew that she was at war with America by an attack 
on the purses of her people. Far different was the case of 
America — her fields were ravaged, her citizens banished 
from their homes and their fortunes ruined, and altho' I 
believe there never was a civil war stained with so few 
horrors, yet there was enough to leave such an impression 
on the minds of the nation as could not easily be obliter- 
ated. Is it not a proof that there is such a feeling in the 
people of America; that no man from England, or with 
even English connections, is ever looked at without dis- 
trust, as a public man, unless he has distinguished himself 
by a marked opposition to English opinions and English 
politics^ What would have been the reception of such 
men as Emmett (even with his talents undoubted as they 
were, as well as his industry), as M^Nevin, and dozens of 
others whom I do not recollect, if they had not come here 
as refugees from English persecutions? What chance 
would even an English Whig have had? — If I am not 



i828: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 153 

much mistaken, he would have starved here, instead of 
being, as Emmett very soon was, made Attorney General 
and in possession of ten or twelve thousand a year by his 
profession. Look at Gallatin and say if an Englishman 
could ever have had his success*? I have received, a few 
days since, fifteen hundred dollars from Carey & Lea 
for your account and have remitted that amount to Weller 
& Co. by this packet in a bill for 7687.50 francs Exch. 
5.12 and a/c. Carey & Lea desired from me, when I drew, 
a declaration that the sum was in full for the copy right of 
the Notions of a Bachelor — Y'" letter only said that they 
would pay you "for the letters" $1500, As I thought it 
uncertain whether you had sold the copy right or only 
one or two editions, I quoted in my answer the words of 
your letter. I said that I could only state that the sum 
was in full, accompanied with that statement. They paid 
my bill and I suppose were satisfied. They have not men- 
tioned a syllable about the other matter, as to the endorser 
on this note. I don't think I ought to begin the subject. 
I shall certainly however be for having the paper secured, 
not from any doubts about them, for I really know little 
about them, but upon general principles and for your 
safety. I have received the bust, which is certainly like 
and well executed — I should have rather wished, if it had 
been mine, not to have had it colossal, as it is less adapted 
for a common room. It was very provoking to me to find 
that I was obliged to pay forty dollars' duty on it — I 
represented in vain that it was your property, a present 
to you from an artist and certainly entirely for the pleas- 
ure of your family and friends and in no possible way, as 
I conceived, to be considered as merchandise — it was 
valued at 600 francs and the duty insisted upon. Perhaps 
if it had been brought out by you, it might have escaped 



154 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1828 

as a part of your baggage, or if it had been imported by 
any academy of arts. Surely this is very paltry. Cole 
[Thomas Cole, the landscape painter] is just now at 
Boston — when he returns, I will urge him. If he goes to 
Europe as he intended, he shall carry the picture and 
deliver it to M"" Rogers, and if he abandons the voyage 
for this year, I will press him to finish and send it. He 
has your directions given to him in writing. I beg my 
kindest compliments, and love if you will permit it, to 
M""^ Cooper. I am always 

Y''^ Sincerely 

C Wilkes 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

La Grange November 4th. 1828 
My dear Sir 

The last time I Have Heard of You, Switzerland was 
Your resting place. I suppose you are now visiting italy, 
and wish much to know How you are, and what are your 
future plans, may they soon Bring you again to us. the 
opening of the Session Being postponed to January 2oth 
I don't expect to leave la grange before that time. George 
and His wife are gone to my native mountains of 
Auvergne and to Grenoble where in the course of this 
month I am likely to Become once more a great grand 
father, the public papers give you an account of European 
politics. I am neither a Russian or a Turk, But exclu- 
sively an Hellenist and a friend to the french expedition 
as it Has Been planned and is conducted on generous 
principles, of the presidential election I say nothing. Both 
parties seeming confident of success, and time approach- 
ing when we shall know the Result, our friend Mrs. 



1828] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 155 

Welles keeps you informed of the sale of the translation 
and future prospects in which I feel warmly interested 
as I don't share in the Humility of our American fellow 
citizens at Home and abroad when, conscious as they 
are, as much as any people, of their own worth, they 
think it a matter of Bonton, as they did at the appear- 
ance of Miss Wright's letters, to say that you Have 
exagerated the superiority of American good sense, and 
the merit of American manners. Yet such of them, as are 
so very modest, when taken at their word feel pretty 
sensitive, you know. Mrs. Brown's Health, I am Happy 
to say, is much better, we shall Have this season a pretty 
numerous circle of Ladies from the several States, some 
thing like a Washington winter, one of them, the amiable 
Mrs. Hone is gone with her Husband to italy. You will 
no doubt favor M. de Chateaubriand with your acquaint- 
ance the value of which He is fit to appreciate, altho' 
your notions of indian manners are not quite the same, 
our friend duke de Broglie Has lost His very worthy 
mother wife to my dear colleague d'argenton. Mon. 
Topliff and Sturgis of Boston, and perhaps Crittenden 
and party of the U. S. Army are on their way to Rome 
where you will find, or at Vienna, Young G. W. Greene, 
grand son to my Brother in arms, who is very interesting 
to me, and Mr. Longfellow of portland. permit me to 
inclose a note to Count Montebello secretary of legation 
to the french embassy, the part of the family now at la 
grange Beg to Be particularly remembered to You and 
Mrs. Cooper whom I Request You to present with my 
Best Respects and am 

Your affectionate friend 

Lafayette 



156 CORRESPONDENCE OF CiSig 

Frances Darusmont (d'Arusmont), generally known by her 
maiden nanne of Frances Wright, was a philanthropist and agi- 
tator. She was born at Dundee in 1795. She was twice in Paris 
between 1821 and 1824, and was a close friend of Lafayette's. 
She travelled for some time in the United States, bought property 
in Tennessee, and there started a negro settlement, which failed. 
She lectured in America in 1833. She had written a series of let- 
ters which were published in 1821 under the title, Views of Soci- 
ety and Manners in America, by an English Woman. She was 
also known as the "Pioneer Woman" in the cause of women's 
rights. 



TO MRS. COOPER, FLORENCE 

Genoa, Friday, [February 27, 1829] 

4 o'clock in the afternoon 
My dearest Sue, 

We left Florence, as you know, in good style a little 
after six. At the gate we got an additional horse and two 
gallant looking and gallant galloping dragoons for an 
escort. We changed the military at each post, but our 
campaign was bloodless, I soon got a position and fell 
asleep. A little fracas awoke me at the gates of Pisa, 
which city we entered a little before two. Our stop did 
not much exceed half an hour and by a little past four we 
were at Lucca. Here we changed everything to the courier 
himself. The carriage proved less splendid but comfort- 
able. Our dragoons vanished, like ghosts, with the crow- 
ing of the cock. We got a little to eat at a town whose 
name I forget, but it is something with an S. The terrible 
ford or torrent of Magra was soon after passed in a boat, 
and we were jogging on among the Apennines long be- 
fore the setting of the sun. I forgot the poor Duchess of 
Massa and her dominions. We went through the towns of 



1829: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 157 

Massa and Carrara in due season without stopping but 
for a moment in each. The ride was beautiful, and most 
of the way the road is excellent. We had several beautiful 
views of sea and mountain and at Spogia we approached 
the first even to wetting our carriage wheels. Day passed 
out upon us in season to show Genoa a mile or two before 
we entered its gates, which we did with a foule of darkies 
and mulcts charged with cabbages, eggs and other eat- 
ables. There was a jam in the gates, but carrying the 
mail, we got through with credit, or, in other words, he 
that did not get put off the way was run against with little 
ceremony. 

I am at the Croix de Malta, which looks directly upon 
the harbour. I can scarcely describe to you the pleasure I 
feel in seeing ships, hearing the cries of seamen, a race 
everywhere so much alike, and in smelling all the odours 
of the trade. Yesterday I did the harbour thoroughly, by 
land and water, floating in the Mediterranean again, 
after an interval of twenty-one years, with a delight like 
that of a schoolboy, broke out of his bounds. An Italian 
sea-port is far more picturesque than one in our own 
country. Here is to be seen every sort of vessel in form 
and rig known to these classic seas — the polacre, the lat- 
teener, feluccas, pinnaces, etc., etc., with red cap'd, 
swarthy faced sailors in abundance. If I could get a good 
house here for the summer, I should be strongly tempted 
to come as high as this in June. The City is picturesque, 
and some of the palaces are splendid. I rode round the 
walls this morning on horseback. The distance must have 
exceeded eight miles. But the walls enclose ground 
enough to contain ten such cities, though the town itself 
is one of the most compact in Europe. The town lies 
against the fort and at the foot of a mountain of some 



158 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

height, and in order to fortify it all, it became necessary 
to enclose the whole mountain to its apex. 

There is a French corvette here, and I went on board 
her this afternoon. She carries twenty-two guns, but I 
think one of our 22's would soon dispose of her. 

All this is very well, you say, but it does not advance 
you towards Paris. No help for it, my dear. I was 
obliged to stop until Saturday afternoon, or to go on the 
same afternoon. 

Saturday morning 28th. Yesterday I met Mr. Robin- 
son, the Andover professor, who sailed from New York 
the same day with us. He married you know in Germany, 
and is now taking a look at Italy. He will call on you in 
Florence, and it will be well to be civil to her, as she must 
be beginning to look on us as countrymen. 

Had I gone on with a vitturino I should not reach 
Nice any sooner than by going to-day. We shall arrive at 
Nice Sunday evening at eight o'clock, stay there until 
Monday noon and reach Marseilles Tuesday night or 
Wednesday morning, I do not know which; one day at 
Marseilles, one at Nimes, and 5 to Paris, or Wednesday 
week. This will make fourteen days from Florence, but I 
cannot go faster, without overdoing my work, and it is 
best to see all I can conveniently now. — I shall endeavor 
to push things hard at Paris. 

Kiss all our babes for me, and exhort William to 
endeavor to improve himself tor his own good. 

The weather is magnificently fine to-day, but as the 
wind blows from off the Apennines, it is a little cool. 

Adieu, my love; work hard, and remember that this is 
the time for Sue and yourself to get your Italian. 
Ever most affectionately yours 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 



1829:] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 159 

To Master Paul. 

On dit que les fusils de Genes ne sont pas bons, mais 
a Paris il y en a d'excellents. Je ne sais pas s'il y en a de 
porter la plomb, mais en tout cas nous pouvons tuer les 
voleurs avec des morceaux de bois en fleche. Adieu, petit 
gamin. Je vous aime de tout mon coeur — vous et votre 
chere maman — et vos soeurs. II faut tou jours parler 
Italien. — Encore adieu. 

TO MRS. COOPER, FLORENCE 

Marseilles, March 5th, 1829 
My dearest Sue, 

Here I am at length at Marseilles. I left Genoa Sat- 
urday evening at 5 o'clock. We had a good night, and the 
next day, Sunday, was beautifully clear and not cold. 
The passage along the shores of the Mediterranean is 
positively one of the finest things I have yet seen. The 
road crosses the end of the Alps, precisely at the little 
principality of Monaco, and I scarcely know anything 
more magnificent. We reached Nice before 8 o'clock. I 
was obliged to remain at Nice until Monday, 3 o'clock, 
when we went to Antibes, where we slept. From Antibes 
we went in a day and night to Aix, and from Aix I came 
down here, to see if it were possible to print at Marseilles, 
in which case I would send for you in April, or let you 
follow me round the same road, and we might return in 
September by water to Naples, and come up to Rome by 
land. The expense would not differ materially from our 
other plans, as I shall save; by not going to Paris, nearly 
enough to bring you here. I went this morning to see a 
printer and I found my deaf and dumb printer at work 
in his establishment. This man alone can do the work in 
about three months, but there are others to assist. We are 



i6o CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

now in treaty, and an hour will decide the matter. The 
next sentence will tell you the result. 
March 6th. 

I stay. A bookseller by the name of Camoins has 
undertaken to print the book at his own risk and on the 
whole I have decided to stay. We shall be three months 
in the Press. Void my plans: At the expiration of the 
lease in Florence, you will send all the trunks with Wil- 
liam to Leghorn, who will ship them for this place. You 
will take post-horses and go to Pisa. Then you will send 
Luigi^ if you think best to keep him, to Leghorn to come 
by water, and take William as your escort. You will be 
two days and one night to Genoa. Half a day at Genoa, 
or a whole day if fatigued, and a day and a night to Nice. 
At Nice I will meet you if you wish it. I shall have a 
country house ready to receive you, and we will stay here 
until September, when we will embark for Naples. From 
Naples to Rome. Taking the water passage, and the 
saving by not going to Paris, into the account, the ex- 
pense will be about the same as if we passed the Summer 
at Monte Nero. As a country house here will not cost 
more for five months than for four, you can come just as 
soon as your impatience to rejoin me, and your own good 
sense, will tell you is best for the girls. 

Tell everybody that I have taken good care of their 
letters and packages. I have found a dozen Americans 
here, among others Bloodgood on his way to Paris; he 
will take the packages for me. 
8 o'clock. 

Having determined to stay here, I set about my busi- 
ness seriously this morning, and I am now writing to you 
at the desk where I hope to finish the Wish-ton-Wish. I 
am nearly opposite to Hodges, in a clean, healthy and 



1829] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 161 

genteel part of the town. Rez-de-Chaussee — carpet salon, 
well furnished chimney, sofa, etc., and a good sized bed- 
room — price 60 francs a month — 25 sous for breakfast, 
and dinner where I please. Putting my expenses at 7 
francs a day for two months, supposing it should be so 
long before you join me, it will not much exceed the cost 
of going from this to Paris and returning. But I intend to 
make such a bargain for a country house as shall leave it 
entirely optional with you to come when you please, on 
the score of expenses. I think you will come about the 
20th April, and your journey of five days must then be 
delightful. The Java has just got into Toulon, distant 40 
miles from here — I have half a mind to go and see the 
place, and the ship at the same time. 

I am afraid masters are out of the question here, except 
perhaps dancing masters. But it is quite evident that the 
town is purely commercial. The difference is quite strik- 
ing. This circumstance will I fear keep you at Florence 
longer than I could wish, but do not think of exceeding 
the time of the lease, and remember that in five days you 
can always join me, and with a good wind I can come to 
Florence in three. In point of fact we are 500 miles 
asunder, but there is a short cut by water. I would wish 
you to come by land, as I think you will have enough of 
water in going to Naples, and the road is so magnificent. 
Pisa and Genoa must be seen. There are very extensive 
Roman ruins at Frejus in Provence, exceeding any I have 
yet seen. The acqueduct has been very respectable, and 
the amphitheatre to me as yet is an object of great curios- 
ity. Happily they all lie directly on the road and an hour 
would suffice to see them all. There must be a mile or 
two of the acqueduct still standing, though it is much 
dilapidated. 



i62 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

Tuesday, March 10th. 

These Frenchmen have deceived me, and after keep- 
ing me several days in suspense, I have been obliged to 
break with them. I shall not say what I think, but after 
all there is a remedy. I have made a bargain with the 
sourd et muet^ and we only wait for a passage to sail for 
Leghorn. He can print the book alone in about four 
months, and I will make such an arrangement as shall 
enable me to take him with me to Leghorn, should it be 
necessary, and we will pass the hot months near the sea. 
I have come to this decision because if he should get sick 
or fail in any way, I could take the sheets already printed 
and go on to Paris with a loss of two days at any time, 
and I think the chance of his continuing to work worth 
more than the risk, and I find Florence will print for 
little more than half the price of Marseilles, and Paris 
is still dearer, and because the man has excellent recom- 
mendations, is a good workman, and puts all his papers 
in my hands as a pledge. Besides I shall enquire at Leg- 
horn and Pisa, and hope to find one or two assistants. 

Let William go and see M. Molline immediately and 
state the fact that I have found the sourd et muet, and am 
on my return — request him to get the papers ready, which 
I will take at all hazards, as it is much cheaper in Italy 
than in France, and which will always be safe. Do this 
in order to save time, which is now getting to be impor- 
tant to us. I shall sail to-morrow in a brig of Genoa for 
Leghorn. At least they say they will sail to-morrow. The 
passage is uncertain. I may precede this letter, or I may 
be two days getting to you. I think however to reach 
home Tuesday or Wednesday next, which will make an 
absence of three weeks. I have not had a line from you, 



1829] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 163 

my love, nor do I expect one, since my letters are gone to 
Paris. 

Give my love as usual and believe me as ever 
Yours most affectionately 

J. Fenimore-Cooper. 

I find it is blowing a Mistral and no vessel can leave 
the port. I have therefore determined to go in an English 
brig which will not sail until Saturday^ wind permitting. 
The passage will however be shorter, as these people are 
in the habit of running into port on all occasions. As I 
may never be here again, I shall profit by the opportunity 
to visit Nimes or Toulon; which, I have not yet decided. 
Adieu, my love. Expect me in the next week. Kiss our 
babes. 

FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER FATHER 

began 
Florence, March 25 finished 9th April [1829] 

You ought to have had five or six letters — one however 
you will I think be sure of — which I wrote to Caroline, 
when Mr. Cooper set out on his way to Paris — the letter 
went, but He, I am happy to say, and you, I know will 
be glad to hear — has returned, to remain with us. He 
found at Marseilles, a Person, who could print for him 
here, in English, and brought him back with Him, and 
has set him at work. You will easily believe the great 
satisfaction, this new arrangement has given us, after 
having anticipated a long separation of three months. 

Florence is the cheapest place we have lived in, since 
being in Europe — we have passed six months very pleas- 
antly here, and I think when we look back on what we 
have seen, from our good comfortable home in America, 
Florence will be one of those Places to which we shall 



i64 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

attach the pleasantest recollections — we have gone very 
little into Society, but had we been so disposed, we might 
have been in a constant round of Dissipation. Mr, Cooper 
has almost affronted the Lords, the Dukes, and Princes, 
by declining their invitations — but after satisfying Curi- 
osity, we thought it would be quite as wise, to stay at 
Home, and save our Purse, for other purposes. But there 
are many Pleasures here to be enjoyed, without incurring 
any additional expense, to one's ordinary style of living. 
Their Magnificent Gallery of Antiquities, Collections 
of Paintings, Libraries, are exposed on the most liberal 
plan, and present a constant source of Improvement and 
delight. 

I am amazed at the engagement of Mary Jay, and 
astonished and shocked, at the want of delicacy, in those 
young ladies, who appeared, in breeches at Mrs. Scher- 
merhorn's. I could not have conceived that She had, 
among her acquaintances people with such vulgar ideas — 
I think it was in bad enough taste that Mr. Golden, 
should ridicule the infirmities of female old age — but that 
any young woman, should so far forget what is due, not 
only to good breeding, but to decency, is really incon- 
ceivable — but in my next I will tell you a story that will 
shew the opinion that they have of these things here. 

S. A. F. C. 

TO J. E. DE KAY, NEW YORK 

Florence, May 25th, 1829, Villa St. Hilano, 

near The Porta Romana. 
My dear De Kay, 

I have begun a dozen letters to you, but the ennui of 
scribbling has, in every instance, interposed to prevent 
their completion. I owe you thanks for the long letters by 



1829] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 165 

Mrs. Cutting. There are so many Manhattanese who 
pass this way, that we are never long without the gossip 
of the city, though I have seen very few papers during 
the last year. As I like news myself, and news of my 
friends, I shall do as I would be done by, and give you 
a sketch of what we have done, and what we hope to do in 
the next two years. 

We landed in England, and I made a short visit to 
London. We then went to Paris, by the way of Havre 
and Rouen. We arrived in Paris the 22nd July, 1826, 
and we did not quit it, or its environs, until February, 
1828. We made several excursions, however, into the 
nearest Provinces. In February, 1828, we went to 
London, via Calais and Dover. We staid in London 
until the last week in May, when we sailed or paddled 
to Rotterdam, visited The Hague, etc., Amsterdam, 
Utrecht, Goreum, Breslau, Antwerp, Brussels, Waterloo, 
Valenciennes to Paris. Six weeks at Paris. By Fontaine- 
bleau and Dijon to Neufchatel and Berne. Near the latter 
place I took a house for three months, during which time, 
I visited all the Cantons, except Basle and Tessino. In 
October, went by the Vilairs and Simplon to Milan; by 
Parma, Novena, Bologna to Florence. Here the family 
has been posted since the last of October, 1828. I have 
made several short excursions into the neighboring states, 
and in March, I went by Lucia Gava, the Comiche-road, 
Nice, Antibes, Frejus and Aix to Marseilles, whence I 
returned by sea to Leghorn. Our time will expire the last 
of July in our present house, and then we intend to visit 
Lucia, Pisa, and Leghorn again. From the latter to 
Naples by water, touching at Elba; if practicable, we 
shall stay at Naples until October, and then for the 
Eternal City. In March for Upper Italy and Venice, 



i66 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

May to Vienna and Dresden. June, July, August and 
September, Germany. October, Paris, leave the family, 
and I shall go to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Petersburg, 
Moscow, Warsaw, Berlin, Paris. In the Spring Ireland 
and Scotland and in the summer home. — V oila ce que 
fai fait et ce que je veux faire. 

I see by the papers that the misfortunes of poor Eck- 
ford have been far heavier than any that can proceed 
from the malice and envy of his fellow creatures. Against 
such blows there is no other remedy than resignation, 
though there is alwa)'^s consolation in believing that we 
possess the sympathy of others. Will you tell him that I, 
I may say we, for Mrs. Cooper knew the excellent young 
man who was in Paris, sincerely enter into his sorrows, 
and having lost two children ourselves we can have more 
than an ordinary perception of their severity. I hope the 
health of Mrs. De Kay has not suffered by these repeated 
shocks. 

I have nothing of Halleck — ^^he should not be idle, with 
his genius. He ought to have an easy office and be em- 
ployed in cutting up the follies. I know nothing better 
than the stage. Why not improve the times a little 
through its instrumentality? You might do something 
in that way yourself. 

What has become of Lunch, of Dunlap, of Cooper, of 
the Academy, of Moore, and all other strange fish, 
Francis included? I see that one of your worthies has had 
the misfortune to break his neck. I suppose he is stuffed 
and in a case. How was the Griscom War ended*? You 
know I made the campaign as amateur. 

Speaking of the Academy, I have something to say, in 
all gravity, and if you think it will answer, you can cause 
the next paragraph of my letter to be published. You will 



1829: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 167 

see that the object is to serve the artist. Though it may 
wear the air of a puff, I assure you it is literally true. 

At Florence, I met with Mr. Horatio Greenough, of 
Boston. He is on his second visit to Italy, where he is 
pursuing his studies as a sculptor. Mr. Greenough ex- 
pressed a wish to make my bust, and his success was so 
encouraging, that I was induced to make him an offer 
for a groupe in marble. He had frequently modelled 
figures, though never grouped, and, in no instance I be- 
lieve had any of them been sufficiently wrought up to be 
passed. With a diffidence, that did as much credit to his 
principles as his modesty, Mr. Greenough consented to 
undertake the task, on condition that unless both of us 
were pleased the order should be null and the work con- 
sidered merely as one of his studies. 

With this understanding of the terms we began to look 
about us for a subject. There is a picture in the Pitti 
Palace that is called La Madonna del Trono. It has the 
reputation of being by the hand of Raphael, though con- 
noisseurs affect to see the pencil of one of his pupils in the 
principal figure. The Virgin is seated on a throne and 
angels are blowing trumpets near. There are several of 
the latter, two of whom (perhaps I should call them 
cherubs) stand at the foot of the throne, singing from a 
scroll, that is held by a hand of each. We took these 
two figures for the chisel. They have been modelled in 
clay, cast in plaister, and are now cutting in the stone 
Carrara. I need not tell you that the latter operation is 
little more than mechanical, with the exception of a few 
finishing touches, which require the talents and knowledge 
of the artist. 

These cherubs are thirty inches in height. The arm of 
one is thrown negligently over the shoulder of the other 



i68 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

and his head is bowed, as if he found more difficulty than 
his companions in managing the music. Nothing can be 
more beautiful than the infantile grace, the attitudes, and 
character of their expression. They are the beau ideal of 
childhood mingled with that intelligence which may be 
thought necessary to compose a heavenly being of this 
character. The wings give them an ethereal look. There 
is a great deal of nature in their postures, and as much 
distinctness and diversity in expression as the subject re- 
quires. In short, taking the beauty of the design and the 
execution together, I scarce know a more pleasing piece of 
statuary for the size. 

The work has been seen by many artists and connois- 
seurs. I hear but one opinion of its beauty. Bartolini 
speaks of it with high approbation. For myself I confess 
I am delighted. 

I believe this is the first piece of regular statuary in 
groupe that has been executed by an American artist. I 
am aware of the ability of Mr. Frazer, and remember to 
have seen a figure of a child sitting that he made, which 
was full of nature and spirit. Still it was only a figure. 
There is also a very clever young man in New Haven 
who, considering his opportunities, has done a great deal. 
But these cherubs have been made in Italy, and where 
one can walk into the tribune of the gallery at any 
moment, and look at the Venus, the Wrestlers, Appol- 
lino, The Faun, The Knife-grinder, and fifty other chef 
d'ceuvres of the ancients. You can readily suppose judges 
get a little critical in Florence. The merit of Mr. Green- 
ough is confined to the execution, in some degree, since 
the subject is certainly from Raphael. Still a good deal 
should be said in explanation. In the first place the pic- 
ture is faded and much of the detail is wanting. Painting 



1829] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 169 

can only show one of its sides. The backs of the cherubs 
are entirely original, and this includes the wings and the 
disposition of the arm that is thrown across, which gave 
more difficulty than all the rest of the grouping. Then 
the attitudes are slightly varied, for postures that did 
well enough in accessories, would have destroyed the 
harmony of the groupe when the figures came to be prin- 
cipals. This change has induced others, none of which, in 
my poor judgment, has impaired the beauty of the design. 
The two arts, though sisters, produce their effect by means 
so very different that it subtracts but little from the glory 
of one when it copies from the other. This is perhaps 
truer with statuary than in a painting, since the resources 
of the latter are much the most complete. 

The celebrated recumbent Venus of Bartolini, which 
that artist has just sent to Lord Londonderr}^, is a close 
copy of one of Titian's of the Tribune, and yet no one 
speaks of the circumstance as subtracting from the merit 
of the sculptor. 

In a country like ours, the acquisition of a good sculp- 
tor is no trifie. Of all the arts that of statuary is perhaps 
the one we most want, since it is more openly and visibly 
connected with the tastes of the people, through monu- 
ments and architecture, than any other. Your lover of 
political economy should not affect to despise the labours 
of the chisel and the pencil. There is an intimate connec- 
tion between all the means of national prosperity. We 
have a glorious foundation for greatness in the diffusion 
of a certain degree of intelligence, but taste can exist 
without grammar and dictionaries and arithmetic. Had 
England the taste of France, what would become of half 
the manufacturers of the latter? Had Italy the industry 
of England, what would become of London and Man- 



170 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

Chester and Birmingham? Nothing for instance can be 
more vulgar and downright purse-proud than English 
plate in common. It is quite evidently valued by its 
weight. No one who has sat at English and French tables 
can avoid knowing the difference between taste and van- 
ity. And yet Rundle and Bridges have executed pieces 
of work that have scarce an equal because they had the 
good sense to employ Flaxman when the public refused 
to patronize him. What is true of gold and silver when 
wrought into vessels of ornament or of use is true of 
muslins and calicoes, of silks and carpets, and a thousand 
other articles that are no longer luxuries but necessaries. 
If we wish to compete as artisans with the manufacturers 
of Europe, we must get taste. 

I intend to send these cherubs home, as soon as finished, 
and I hope they may be the means of bringing patronage 
and encouragement to the artist. I have no more doubt, 
in my own mind, of his ability to execute an equestrian 
statue than of his ability to do that which I know he has 
done. It would cost him time, and study, and great labour, 
but his chance of success would be equal to that of artists 
whose reputations being established here, care little what 
people think of them in America. It is time that delusions 
on the subject of Europe, had an end on our side of 
the Atlantic. 

Now, just as much of the above as you see fit, cause to 
be published, for it is my intention to have these little 
angels exhibited for the benefit of the artist, and what is 
more, I intend to make you their helper, and give you and 
Cooper, and one or two more the whole trouble of the 
affair. Resignation is the great virtue in a business like 
this, 

I have little to tell you more. Europe is in an embar- 



18293 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 171 

rassed state. They flatter themselves in England that they 
are starving with over production! But John is exceed- 
ingly ingenious in bolstering his infirmities and most 
loyally stupid in seeing the progress of other people. 

As to Americans here I see little and know less of 
them. I hear strange accounts, however, for they are not 
a little addicted to back biting. There is a queer report 
abroad here just now, but I shall no more of it, feeling 
quite confident it must be exaggerated ; a Duke and some 
female levity are implicated. 

As for myself I know nothing of Europe through 
cafes and valets de place. I make no acquaintances with 
Countesses in Diligences and do not see grandees at 
Restaurateurs^ and scarcely know the name of an opera 
dancer. You see I shall return as ignorant as I came out, 
at least in the opinion of those galloping gentry, who 
think the world is to be best understood in the market 
places. I can tell you how often I laugh in my sleeve, 
when I remember the swaggering conversation of some 
of our ancient travelled illuminati. I have traced a few of 
the most conspicuous and depend on it they have not left 
the trains of comets. 

Remember me to Halleck. Tell him Rogers and Sir 
James Mackintosh are delighted with Almerick but that 
he is out of favour with all the Barings — for coupling 
them with the de Rothschilds. 

Adieu 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

FROM PETER JAY 

New York, 29 May, 1829 
Dear Sir, 

My good old father has paid the debt of nature. He 



172 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

died on the 17th. ins^ I need not tell you how much he 
was loved and venerated by his children. His departure 
was attended by every circumstance which can lighten 
affliction for such a loss. Yet the separation is very pain- 
ful and I am not yet in a mood to write with levity. 

William will continue to reside at Bedford ; the Estate 
there is left to him. I have the stone house at New York; 
and the rest of my father's property except some legacies 
is to be divided equally among all his children. My sisters 
remain for the present with William, their plans are not 
yet settled, but it is probable that they will pass the 
winter in Mrs. Banyer's house next door to us. Your 
friend Mary is married to Frederick Prime. My other 
girls are growing up around me, and teach me without the 
assistance of my glass that I am growing old. Still I must 
labor on to maintain them, while you are enjoying all 
that can render Europe agreeable. I rejoice in the Laurels 
you are winning and trust they produce golden fruit. We 
shall rejoice still more if you should repose under their 
shade in Westchester. Your Bachelor (except that it 
paints us too favorably) is an excellent Book, and the 
predictions it contains are infinitely less improbable than 
an Englishman could by any means be made to believe. 
Capt. Basil Hall we are told is going to lash us. Few 
men have been better received here than he was, yet he 
left us I believe in a sour humor. His condescension and 
desire to instruct us, tho' meant to shew humility and 
kindness were felt as arrogance, and his wife indulged 
herself in certain criticisms upon the American ladies 
which justly displeased the latter. 

You will find at your return our Society much changed, 
some whom you knew are dead, some Bankrupt, some 
married, many absent, and numbers of new faces appear 



1829] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 173 

daily on the scene. If you remain absent much longer you 
will be as little at home here as at Paris. Come back while 
you have some old friends left. Charles Baldwin was 
gratified to hear that you remembered him. 

We are longing to see your new novel with the odd 
name, and your travels in Switzerland will I doubt not 
be instructive as well as amusing. It is a country after all 
which (if you except the scenery) I think I should not 
admire; however, you are a better judge and I shall ac- 
quiesce in your decision. We have no political news which 
will be interesting to you. There are a great many ap- 
pointments and disappointments, of course some are 
gratified and many displeased. What are to be the distin- 
guishing features of Gen. Jackson's administration can- 
not yet be determined. Hitherto there has been nothing 
to denote great ability, nor perhaps the reverse. It is 
probable things will go on pretty much in the old way. 

Miss Martha Delancey was here a few days ago look- 
ing very well. Her sister was still at Philadelphia. Mrs. 
Jay is at Rye, or else I am sure she would desire to be 
remembered to you. Remember us all to Mrs. Cooper 
and the young ladies. 

Your friend and ser'^'* 

Peter Augustus Jay. 

Do you know Stewart the missionary*? in his journal 
he frequently compares the views in Hawaii to those on 
Lake Otsego, and speaks of your house at Fenimore. 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq., Florence 

FROM EDWARD LIVINGSTON 

Montgomery House, N. Y. June 20, 1829 
Dr Sir 

The newspapers which usually "prate of your where- 



174 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1829 

about" have given lately such different accounts that the 
uncertainty of my letters reaching you has prevented me 
from making a communication which I have for some 
time past intended to make — it is one that is drawn upon 
you by the celebrity you have acquired in the literary 
world and by the obligation which that celebrity has 
created of using your talents in such a way as to promote 
the greatest good. I will explain my object without fur- 
ther preface. I know not whether you have ever turned 
your attention to the state of our penal law, or have 
formed an opinion on the great question whether death 
ought ever to be inflicted as a punishment — I have, and 
have come to the conclusion that as society is now formed 
neither justice nor necessity nor expediency require or 
permit this punishment. The process of reasoning by 
which I arrive at this conclusion will be found with much 
other matter which I do not require you to read, in a 
report made to the General Assembly of Louisiana in the 
year 1822 and in the introductory report to the Code of 
Crimes and punishments, both of which I now send to 
you with the rest of the work. These parts of it I do 
request you read with the attention that the subject, 
rather than the mode in which it is discussed, requires. — 

If the result of this investigation or of any previous 
attention you may have given to the subject should be a 
coincidence of opinion with me, you will not find the 
request I am about to make an extraordinary one, for you 
will feel it a duty to cooperate in the abolition of a prac- 
tice supported only by prejudice and the fear of innova- 
tion which outrages humanity, and disgraces the legisla- 
tion of the civilized world. 

You are one of the very, very few whose works are not 
only read in all civilized nations, but by all the reading 



1829] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 175 

part of every nation. The department of literature which 
you have for the most part adopted is one that enables 
you to impress most forcibly on the mind the truths you 
may wish to inculcate. The skill with which you embody 
the passions and exemplify their operation and effects, 
the genius which enables you to give to fiction all the 
interest of reality, the knowledge of human nature by 
which you detect and expose the most secret workings 
of the mind, and the command of language and descrip- 
tive powers you possess, to throw into the most interest- 
ing form the incidents your fancy creates, all these fit you 
in the most eminent degree for the task I propose. It is 
that of exemplifying (in a work written expressly with 
that view) the evils of capital punishment. One of the 
most prominent among them (its irremediable nature) 
seems to me to offer the finest field for a display of your 
powers in describing the effects of an erroneous judgment 
founded on false or mistaken testimony — the unavailing 
efforts of conscious innocence; its uncredited association, 
its despair; the remorse of the mistaken jurors and judge 
when the falsity of the charge is discovered too late for 
redress; the chain of circumstances by which guilt was 
presumed or the motives for the perjury by which it was 
asserted, in your hand, might be worked up into a picture 
that would cause the hardiest advocate for capital pun- 
ishment to pause in his desire to inflict it, and I will 
answer for it, would not disgrace the master hand that 
drew it. 

I forget however, that you may not be a convert to my 
Doctrine, or may have other reasons for declining my 
proposal. Should either of these be the case, I shall 
lament my want of success, but feel no apprehension of 
your mistaking my motive or disapproving it when 



176 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

known. I shall at least have brought m3'self to your recol- 
lection and have assured you of my high consideration 
and perfect esteem. 

Your m ob st 

Edw. Livingston. 
Fenimore Cooper Esq 

Edward Livingston was born in 1764 and died in 1836. He was 
a member of Congress and Mayor of New York. In 1829 he was 
United States Senator and in 183 1 was Secretary of State. In 
1833 he went to France as minister plenipotentiary. He systema- 
tized the Civil Code of Louisiana and prepared a new criminal 
code. He strongly favored the abolition of capital punishment. 

FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER SISTER 

Rome, March 4th, 1830 
How often do I wish for You, my dear Sister, to enjoy 
with us the pleasure of being at Rome. I can hardly tell 
you what a pleasure it is — We are perfectly enchanted, 
and delight in it more and more — as the Spring begins to 
open and the weather becomes pleasant, we explore the 
Ruins and its environs, and trace the Scenes of events 
that have been familiar with us from our Childhood — I 
can hardly describe to you the feelings with which I gaze 
upon the Ruins of the Forum — or look on the still solid 
Walls of the Prisons where St. Paul is known to have 
been shut up — and where St. Peter is said to have been. — 
We explored the other day the Remains of the Baths of 
Titus, which are very beautiful. There is only a part of 
them cleared from the Rubbish with which they were 
filled, but these Corridors and Apartments, with their 
vaulted roofs thirty feet in height, give an idea of what 
their Magnificence must have been, when complete — 
they were covered with Paintings done on the Walls 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 177 

themselves — some of which have escaped the ravages of 
time and damp, and are still very beautiful — it was near 
here the celebrated Statue of Laocoon was discovered — 
and the Guide pointed out to us the place, were it was 
conjectured to have stood — this you will remember is one 
of the finest specimens of Grecian Sculpture now remain- 
ing, it stands in the Museum of the Vatican — in one of 
the late excavations, they have discovered a very beauti- 
ful mosaic pavement, beneath the baths, which is thought 
to have been the floor of a Room in the House of 
Maecenas which is known to have stood here — what 
sights, what subjects for the imagination I but I leave the 
idea for you to fill up. This House of Maecenas was torn 
down to make way for a part of the Palace of Nero, and 
this in its turn gave Place to the baths which bore the 
name of the Conqueror of Jerusalem — in sight of the 
spot stands the triumphal Arch erected in honour of its 
conquest — it is very interesting, as still having sculp- 
tured on its bas reliefs, the sacred Vessels, brought 
among the Spoils of the Temple. — It is said that the 
Jews always avoided this Arch, and would go any dis- 
tance rather than be obliged to pass under it. I should 
like to know if they still retain this feeling, but I have 
met with no one yet who could satisfy me — Poor Rome — 
but little rests of its ancient splendors — the traces of their 
own fierce Civil Dissensions, and of the Sacks and 
Ravages of barbarous invaders, are more easily discov- 
ered than the remains of their taste and magnificence — a 
few broken Columns, and a Mutilated Arch is all that 
remains in the foru?n^ which is filled up, with dirt and 
rubbish, to the height of twenty feet — it is striking as 
you ride through the streets of modem Rome to see the 
pieces of broken columns, ruined capitals, and ancient 



178 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

inscriptions worked up in the Walls of the houses. — 
sometimes arches of Amphitheatres, and parts of Mas- 
sive Tombs are made to serve in their constructions — the 
tomb of Augustus forms a part of some houses in our 
Neighborhood, and the Amphitheatre of Marcellus, 
which was thought one of the finest of Rome, is employed 
for the same purpose in another part of the Town. On 
the Palatine Hill where stood the Palaces of the Caesars 
some Walls of brick and ruins of subterranean Arches are 
all that rest — we wound our way through the vineyards 
that are cultivated on their ruins to the edge of the Hill, 
and looked down on all that rests of the Senate House^ 
and the temple of Vesta, which is just at its feet — the 
Hill of the Capitol is covered with Modem buildings — 
and all that is classical, excepting the Prisons, is the re- 
mains of the Tarpeian Rock from whence they used to 
throw their State Criminals in the times of the Repub- 
lic — we walked up the Steps that led to the height, Paul 
and all, and looked down the precipice — it might very 
well break a man's neck, even at the present day, — al- 
though it would be very much like being thrown out of a 
Garret Window were it not for the name of the thing, 
there are loud and long disputes too about the site of the 
Spot, as there are about all that remains of Ancient 
Rome, 

S. A. F. C. 

FROM HORATIO GREENOUGH 

Florence, March 15, 1830 
My Dear Sir 

I have just put your letter into the hands of Mr. 
Moline with the approval of the censor. I have been 
obliged to read the whole work into Italian for him for 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 179 

the sake of expedition. Otherwise I know not when he 
would have made an end of it. 

In the sentence "The finger of Providence pointed to 
a place where the most devoted of his worshippers might 
erect their altars," he erased the word "most" as convey- 
ing an idea derogatory to the Catholic forms of worship. 

Also the passage — "I am old enough to remember its 
language [where you speak of the English press] to 
Alexander, who was yesterday a Saint and to-day a 
Debauchee, a patriot or a tyrant, etc." stuck in the throat 
of the good father. I talked hard to him, however, and 
he concluded to change merely the word "Debauchee" 
for "anything else." — The sentence "We have seen his 
successor within a twelvemonth represented now as a 
cormorant, now as a butterfly, hero or dastard, as his bat- 
talions approached or receded from the Balkan," he 
thought himself not at liberty to licence. The notes re- 
main to be read. I shall expect your advice with regard 
to the above passages — in the meanwhile the printing 

will go on. T T^ o- 

*^ i am, Dear oir, 

Yours Sincerely, 

H. Greenough. 

FROM CHARLES WILKES 

New York, July 29, 1830 
My dear Sir 

I hope The Water Witch will soon be with us. "Your 
path is on the mountain wave" and your home on the 
deep — and I dare say, without meaning anything of the 
pun kind, that she will be very bewitching. Nautical sub- 
jects ought to please on the Atlantic border at least and 
I think do. I do not know who was the author of the 
article in the Edins ment^ in your former letter — but I 



i8o CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

do know, or at least firmly believe, for many reasons, 
that it was not Jefferey's. He was then, however, I think, 
the Editor and must of course be the ostensible father of 
the child. — You know that he is no longer so. When he 
was unanimously chosen Dean of the Faculty of Advo- 
cates by his brethren, he gave up the review. No condi- 
tion was made on the subject, which he would have 
spurned at, but he felt, that as the Advocates, as a body, 
were nearly divided as to Whig and Tory, and had with 
unprecedented unanimity chosen him as their head, it 
would be deemed a proper delicacy on his part to with- 
draw from the direction of a work so decidedly a party 
work, as the review had always been. You are aware that 
the place of Dean is one of mere honor without a particle 
of emolument unless in so far as it may give business, 
which was no object to Jeffery, who had already as much 
as he could do. He has always expressed himself to me 
in strong terms of approbation of your genius and 
talent — not certainly without some drawbacks (for what 
professional critic can help finding fault?), but with a 
great preponderance of praise — particularly of your 
power to keep alive an intense interest, in which respect 
he thinks you unrivalled. 

Your accounts of European politics are very interest- 
ing. I hope you are wrong in almost always putting Eng- 
land in the wrong — which I observe you almost con- 
stantly do. I am not inclined to claim for English states- 
men any supremacy of virtue, but I do think the nation 
is decidedly in favor of liberal and honorable conduct, 
when there is time to instruct and inform them and that 
there is no other nation in the world, unless ours is an 
exception, in which politicians must at least make it 
believed they mean honestly — or where an agreed dis- 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 181 

honorable act more infallibly damns a public man. The 
middle class, meaning by that an educated class such as 
the country gentlemen of England are, I think cannot be 
matched any where — I will not, however, pretend that I 
am an unprejudiced judge. All my opinions all my life, 
from my youth upwards, have been formed by the course 
of reading a young man of decent connections in England 
naturally falls into — many of my early and best friends 
were of that class and I own I have seen nothing in the 
national history to give the lie to these opinions. No 
nation that I have ever read of has been oftener led on 
by generous impulses into war, or has sacrificed more in 
defense of liberal opinions. I cannot quite agree with 
you about General Jackson — altho' I am quite ready to 
believe he is as good as Adams was. His speech deserves 
the praise you give us — but with some exceptions — but I 
do not think his conduct since has answered to what was 
expected from his previous character. It was, I think, 
believed that he would err in being too obstinate and 
positive — selfwilled and unbending — he has, I believe, 
shewn himself as yielding, as vacillating, as popularity- 
seeking as any common regularly bred politician, and he 
has certainly pushed the burning-out principle far beyond 
all defensible grounds and opened a torrent of corruption 
which I think threatens to overwhelm all chance of any- 
thing like a fair and free choice of any great officer of our 
government. In nine cases out of ten, where no imminent 
danger threatens the country, all will be a bargain and 
sale before hand — if I vote for you or exert myself for 
you, you must give me a place — in case of danger, the 
danger itself will bring the remedy. I agree very much 
with )^ou as to Jefferson's letters. They certainly raised 
my opinion both of his talents and integrity — many pas- 



i82 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

sages of his life, since the revolution, had made me con- 
sider him as a complete demagogue, with the common 
sordid views of demagogues, altho' an able man; but I 
found by his early letters, when any hyprocrisy was out 
of the question, so many of the same views of politics, 
that one cannot doubt that he was, in the main, sincere, 
and he certainly seems, with the feeling of a true lover 
of his country, always to be thinking of rendering her any 
service or of introducing any new means of prosperity 
and comfort. I am also quite of your opinion as to 
Moore's life of Byron, as far as it respects the action of 
Moore, considered as a friend to Byron. He is one of 
those ''damned good natured friends''' whom Sir Fretful 
Plagiary speaks of in The Critic — yet I am not sorry at 
any view of human nature and am rather glad to see the 
obliquities (to use no harsher term) of men of distin- 
guished parts, shewn in broad daylight, when it is done 
without any fault of my own or of those I love. Lady 
Byron's vindication is perfect, as far as she is concerned — 
but I hope some officious friend will yet tell us what the 
conduct was on his part, which barred all forgiveness. I 
have, hitherto, had no doubt that there was a lurking 
insanity which poisoned his whole life. My old friend 
M^" Adams has distinguished himself, but he is not en- 
titled to all the glory you give him, for he is not more 
than 73 years old. Has Rogers ever thanked you for 
Cole's picture or given any opinion about the merit of 
it'? I cannot find that he has taken any pains to patronize 
him, which I am very sorry for. 
Pray remember me affectionately 

to M^^ Cooper, and believe me, 

D"" Sir, truly Yrs 

C Wilkes 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 183 

TO MRS. COOPER, DRESDEN 

Sunday, 9 o'clock in the evening, Aug. 15, 1830 

Francfort. 
My dearest Sue, 

We got here, at four. We did very well both nights, 
and I do not remember to have ever travelled in the night 
with less fatigue. The roads are excellent, and without 
paves, and the carriages. I advise you to come by Leip- 
sic — next day to Weimar, which will make you laugh — 
you can easily breakfast at Gotha, which is a very pretty 
little town, though I caution you not to see sights, as 
they charge by the head, and enormously. If you felt 
fatigued and wished to see the castle where Luther was 
confined you will have to spend the third night at 
Eisenach. The castle is a little way out of town and is 
anything but beautiful, seen at a distance. We left Wei- 
mar at 8 o'clock and reached Eisenach before six, having 
stopped an hour at Gotha, and another at Erfurth. From 
Eisenach you could come to Fulda easily in a day, and 
from Fulda to Francfort it is about forty miles of beau- 
tiful road. The country is very German the whole way, 
though between Gotha and Eisenach it is quite pretty. I 
have been in Saxony, Prussia, Saxe Weimar, Prussia, 
Saxe Gotha, Saxe Eisenach, Hesse Cassel, Bavaria, 
Hesse Cassel, and Francfort. No one has said anything 
about our baggage, or passeports. Being in a Government 
conveyance, we have some privileges. I think they will 
at least ask for your passeports at Erfurt and at Hainan, 
both of which are frontier fortresses. You will see Royal 
residences enough. Even at Fulda the Electress of Hel — 
has two, being separated for many years, from her hus- 
band; and most effectually yesterday when he died. 



i84 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

All is quiet in France, and promises to remain so. La 
Fayette has yielded to necessity, and the Bourbonites 
have done the same thing. Charles X is nearly forgotten, 
and Philip 1st seems to be moderate and wise. Poor Neu- 
ville has sent in his resignation, which is more than most 
of Charles' men have done, by far the greater part taking 
the oath to Philip. The new Charta, as they call a con- 
stitution, is partly republican, and if they destroy the 
descent of the peers, which they talk of, it will be still 
more so. 

As yet I can tell you nothing of Francfort except that 
it is both a lively and a pretty town. The Hotels are 
magnificent. Whether it will do for a residence is another 
question. To-morrow I shall inquire and let you know in 
this letter. 

Monday noon. 

The town promises well, but I can get no intelligence. 
The valet has deserted me, and no one seems to care a 
button about my questions or my wishes. In short, I have 
never been in a place where the people evidently cared so 
little about a stranger. I shall go on to Mayence this 
evening, and get to Paris as soon as possible, and come 
back upon the Rhine, without delay. Perhaps I shall go 
no farther than the frontier, for there is little to be seen 
now in the capital. I may write to Willie to send me 
letters and to forward my packages without delay, all of 
which he will now certainly do. In this case I can prepare 
everything for you comfortably, and if I choose go to 
Paris afterwards. But I shall be governed by circum- 
stances. I am at the White Swan here, which is well 
enough, and less dear than most of the other inns. Avoid 
the great inns here, which are as dear as those of London. 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 185 

I am very well and miss you all. — Adieu, yours very 
sincerely, 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

TO MRS. COOPER, FRANKFORT 

Paris, Aug. 21st, 1830 
My dearest Sue, 

I reached here yesterday at four o'clock in the morning. 
All is perfectly quiet. I went to bed (Hotel d'Incri) 
and rose at ten. In the streets I met in the first 
two hours — Wheaton — Clarke — Merrigault — Pringle — 
Hunter and his wife — Brimmer and other Americans. 
They all rush here to see the movement. Hunter came for 
his children and they go back to-day. 

My packages had all arrived and had been transmitted 
to their directions — I fancy there has been some little 
delay on the part of Welles. At all events I have already 
got things in order — so that matter is safe. 

I have not yet seen the General, who is all in all here. 
He is universally admitted to be the most powerful man 
in France. That he might have made himself chief of the 
Government appears to be acknowledged all around. He 
is courted, flattered, feared, and respected. I have written 
to him, but thought it more delicate not to intrude. 

Poor Levasseur has been at death's door. He was lead- 
ing a body of men through St. Honore, when a grenadier 
of the guards stepped from behind a column of the Palais 
Royal and levelled a musket. Levasseur had a double 
barrelled fowling piece with percussion locks. He fired 
quick as lightning and both balls went through the body 
of the grenadier, but in falling his gun was fired and the 
ball went through the foot of Levasseur. There was so 
much danger of lock-jaw, that they reduced him too low, 



i86 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

and for a few days he was in extreme peril. He is now 
doing well. 

Cruger has just this moment left me. He came over 
from London to be present and returns on Monday. We 
dine together to-day. 

They say lodgings are very cheap. If this be true, I 
shall at once take them, for I am persuaded this is the 
place for me at present. I shall go and see Mademoiselle 
Kautz this morning, and ascertain the condition of the 
schools, after which I shall make up my mind definitely. 
I write you now merely to let you know of my arrival, 
and that I am perfectly well. 

There is no news from home, though they continue to 
grumble in Carolina about the Tariff. It will, however, 
end in trouble. I shall write you to-morrow at length, 
after hearing more. No American killed, and only one 
Englishman, at his window. 

Ever yours, 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

Love to our babes, not forgetting the one that weighs 
220 pounds I 

Henry Nicholas Cruger was a son of Nicholas Cruger. He was 
born at St. Croix in 1800, graduated at Columbia College, and 
died in 1867. In 1833 he married Miss Harriet Douglas, whose 
father had a home and large holdings of land near Jordanville, 
Herkimer County, about twenty-four miles north of Coopers- 
town. Here was built a country house, still standing, and known 
as Henderson House. For a time it was called "Cruger's." It 
was the summer home of the late Douglas Robinson. Cruger 
changed his name to Henry Douglas Cruger. His father also was 
born in St. Croix, but lived in Charleston, South Carolina, where 
he died in 1826. His uncle, Henry Nicholas Cruger, died in New 
York in 1844. It was in the countinghouse of his grandfather, 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 187 

Nicholas Cruger, that Alexander Hamilton was employed as a 
clerk. The lawsuit so frequently referred to in the later corre- 
spondence was Cruger vs. Cruger, brought for the construction 
of the marriage settlement entered into by H. N. Cruger and 
Harriet Douglas. It was for years the leading case on this subject. 

FROM H. N. CRUGER 

Liverpool, 24 September, 1830 
Dear Sir, 

I have just arrived here to embark for home. I regret 
exceedingly that the hurry of arrangement, and a contem- 
plated previous toure in Wales, prevent my giving more 
than a hasty answer to your Letter. For the information 
it conveys of the state of things on the Continent I render 
you my cordial thanks. The views it takes of the agitating 
political topics at home are frank, and forcible, but they 
satisfy me that as yet you have not read, or heard justly, 
the other side of the question. Permit me to request you 
to suspend your opinion until we have had a fair hearing. 
So soon as I return home it shall be my business to for- 
ward to you the materials for a candid and mature judge- 
ment. My esteem for you personally, and sense of the 
great influence you possess over the public mind of 
America, make me anxious and earnest in this request. 
Your own desire of information, and generous sentiments, 
will I doubt not induce you to pause until you have an 
opportunity of retrieving what your absence from the 
Country has alone occasioned. For the present I will con- 
tent myself with a few cursory remarks. Let me in the 
first place beg of you to disabuse yourself of the idea that 
Dr. Cooper has a jot more of influence among us than 
the reason and truth of his writings carry with them. He 
has no personal influence, and is neither leader nor col- 
league to any party. Altho' Dr. Johnson asked of Junius 



i88 CORRESPONDENCE OF [iSso 

"what must the Divinity be, when the Priest is a 
monkey?" that Divinity, being the spirit of liberty, jus- 
tice, and sound sense which breathed and burned in his 
writings, is still, and ever will be, worshipped. The state- 
ment to which you allude in a New York Paper has met 
my eye. It is a silly device, unworthy of the occasion, and 
emanating alone from personal malevolence. Many of its 
facts are just as true as that McCord has returned to the 
U. S., which it states, and its fishing interrogatories and 
foul insinuations are all of a piece with its veracity. They 
treat the subject differently in Carolina — with gravity, 
frankness, and Gentlemanly regard for the feelings of 
their opponents, and if they do resort to extreme measures 
now, it is not before they have passed thro' all the inter- 
mediate steps slowly, painfully, and with great forbear- 
ance, as I hope, my dear Sir, you will yet allow. You say 
you will go with us if we will confine ourselves to Con- 
stitutional remedies. What else do we propose"? Your 
great error lies in not considering the States as sovereign, 
and independent, and coordinate parties to a compact, to 
which the Federal Gov'm* was no party because it existed 
but as a consequence. Consolidation is your fallacy. A 
State cannot be guilty of treason. To nullify an act of 
Congress is not a war measure, it is the exercise of a right 
reserved to the States from necessity; they have not nor 
could not part with it in the Constitution. All power in 
the U. S. is derivative, — none inherent. With the States 
it is just the reverse. These created, the other is the crea- 
ture. They have no common umpire. The Supreme Court 
is but an emanation from the thing created. It cannot 
judge over its superiors. It may protect the Federal head, 
but it cannot protect the individual states from encroach- 
ment upon their reserved rights. It was proposed in Con- 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 189 

vention to constitute the Senate a Tribunal for deciding 
upon controversies between a single State and the Gen- 
eral Government, but this was abandoned, and the mat- 
ter remains for the arbitrament of the same high contract- 
ing powers that framed the Constitution itself. If the 
doctrine of South Carolina is "antinational in its char- 
acter, and breathes of disunion," believe me, Sir, it is the 
good old Republican doctrine of '98, and is vital to State 
Rights. Indeed it is as old as the Constitution itself, as 
I could show you by chapter and verse. 

You will find it in the Virginia Resolutions of '98, and 
in those of the Legislature of Kentucky of the same year 
penned by the author of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, and in Madison's Report of '99. All of these agree 
that "the several States who formed the Constitution, 
being sovereign, and independent, have the unquestion- 
able right to judge of its infraction, and that a nullifica- 
tion by these Sovereignties, of all unauthorized acts done 
by the General Government under colour of that instru- 
ment, is the rightful remedy.'' And that "in case of a 
deliberate, palpable, and dangerous exercise of other 
powers not granted by the said compact, the States who 
are Parties thereto, have a right, and are in duty bound 
to arrest the evil." We propose that the State of South 
Carolina accordingly shall declare the Tariff of Protec- 
tion null and void within its limits, and to invest its 
Courts and officers with power to enforce such declara- 
tory Law. What follows *? Will the other States declare 
War against US'? Will they seal usurpation with the blood 
of the oppressed*? Believe me, no — or if they will, the 
remedy will not be constitutional. Fear is an ill Counsel- 
lor for an individual, much worse for a sovereign State. 
It is not with threats and scoffing that the South is to be 



190 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

dealt with. It is easy to speak of 20, or 30, or 100,000 
men on our frontiers. With our hands on the Constitution 
we can but die behind our palmetto logs and cotton bags, 
if we are to be sacrificed for the sake of an experiment. 
This however will not ensue, — neither rebellion, revolu- 
tion, nor war. The U. S. will appeal to a Tribunal we 
cannot convoke, but are willing to appear before, the 
authority that framed the Constitution, a Convention of 
the States, two thirds of whom are competent to decide. 
With Alexander we say "where Princes are our competi- 
tors we will enter the lists." We will be judged by our 
Peers. In the mean time be assured we seek no foreign 
allies; the idea is libellous and absurd. 

Nor can we after 13 years of baffled efforts hope for 
any change in the opinions of an interested majority. 
Great Britain taxed us -without representation. Congress 
does it agaifist, — which is most bearable'? "Attachment to 
the Union'' is not I conceive "the loyalty of an Ameri- 
can," but attachment to the Constitution^ is. I know that 
there are those who go for the Union "right, or wrong," 
it is their interest to do so, this is transatlantic legitimacy. 
We go for the Constitution, and therefore can never go 
wrong, and we look upon the preservation of State rights, 
and among the rest of the right of nullifying, the highest, 
and most vital, and the only check upon the encroach- 
ments of the General Government, as the best safeguard 
to that Constitution and security for the Union itself. I 
have spoken openly, Mr. Cooper, and fearlessly, trusting 
to your candid consideration. With best wishes for your- 
self and family, I remain very truly yrs., etc., 

H. N. Cruger, of So. Car. 
A Mons. J. Fenimore Cooper. 

Rue d'Aguesseau, No. 22, a Paris. 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 191 

FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER SISTER 

September 29th, Paris, 1830 
We left Paris the 8th of September, and returned the 
27th, and in that time we saw a great deal to interest and 
please us. The Rhine, like most things that are much 
talked of, did not realize the expectations we had formed 
of it — we found it much inferior to the fine scenery of 
Switzerland and Italy — we rode on its banks from 
Cologne to Mayence, a distance of about a hundred 
miles, which is the most beautiful part of it, the hills are 
dotted with ruins, and every nook has its legend — all this 
gives it an interest — you are constantly pleased, but never 
amazed and delighted, as when the magnificent views of 
the former countries burst upon you. Cologne is an old 
town with a Cathedral commenced and about a third 
completed, in which state it has rested the last five hun- 
dred years — as far as it is finished, it is one of the finest 
things we have seen, but there is something melancholy in 
seeing so beautiful a building, falling to ruins, uncom- 
pleted — the name of the architect who designed it is even 
unknown — Cologne is the birthplace of Rubens, and they 
boast here of having his finest picture in their possession — 
I have seen many others of his, however, that I liked 
much more — but perhaps there is something in the sub- 
ject, which is too painful. It is the martyrdom of St. 
Peter, who you know it is said requested to be crucified 
with his head down, as unworthy to die, as his Master 
had done — and the moment of the picture, is when they 
are just elevating the cross. — But the wonder of wonders 
at Cologne, is the reliques of the three kings, alias, 
Magi — who came to worship the new born Infant at 
Jerusalem — well, these good people conceive themselves 
to have their skulls, and pride themselves very much in 



192 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

the possession. They were formerly crowned with jewels 
of immense value — but at the time of the revolution the 
invading French army carried these off, and they are 
replaced with false stones — formerly the remains of these 
three kings, were very highly venerated, and people used 
to come from an immense distance to worship before their 
shrine without ever asking themselves, who these person- 
ages were, or how they came here, I think among all the 
absurdities of Catholicism, this is one of the most absurd — 
that an obscure town in Germany should contain the re- 
mains, of "the wise men of the east," who came to Jeru- 
salem to worship, and who returned instantly home to 
their own country by "another way" — I suppose the old 
Monks say that Cologne was this "other way." — We saw 
tvjo places where Charlemagne was born, and one where 
he was buried, — the latter, Aix la Chapelle, has several 
remains of his time. — He held his court here, and we saw 
the marble seat, on which, once covered with gold, he 
was, in his imperial robes, placed in his tomb — it was 
afterwards used as the coronation seat of the Emperors — 
of whom the Guide told us, thirty-four had been crowned 
in it. — The Town hall is a fine old building with an 
immense Hall, hung with pictures of Emperors, and of 
Ambassadors, who were sent to the famous councils that 
have been held here — among the former is an original of 
Charlemagne by Titian^ who you know lived some five 
or six hundred years after. — They have here celebrated 
mineral waters, and I almost killed myself by taking a 
bath in one of them too warm — poor Fan, and I, looked 
as if we had been almost boiled, when we came out. — 
Well, after quitting Cologne and Aix la Chapelle, we 
went along the banks of the Rhine, a charming ride to 
Coblence, and the day after one still more charming, still 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 193 

just on the banks, to Mayence — we were quite among 
the antiquities of French history, saw, as I told you, a 
second birthplace of Charlemagne — a Chateau built by 
Roland his famous Nephew, in face of a beautiful little 
island, where stood a Nunnery, containing the lady of his 
love, who from a false report of his death had taken the 
veil. — The ruins of a Palace belonging to the Kings of 
the race, who had preceded that of Charlemagne, and 
many others of the feudal lords, of the ages that suc- 
ceeded him. — At Mayence we quitted the Rhine, and 
went to Francfort, where we found what gave us as much 
pleasure and interested us more than all we had seen, 
letters, and good news from our dear little flock at 
Paris. — From thence we went on to the ruins of Heidel- 
berg, which are very beautiful, and deserve all their 
fame — walked up on the great ton by a very commodious 
pair of steps, and after admiring the german idea, of a 
great Lord showing his state by the size of his wine 
barrel — we ''marched down again" — at Mannheim we 
crossed the Rhine into Bavaria, and went to Durcheim, 
a pretty little place in a beautiful valley, with ruined 
Cloisters, and Chateaus on the fine hills that surround 
it, altogether, which so pleased the fancy of Mr. Cooper, 
that he means to make it the scene of his next book, but 
this is a secret, and you must say nothing about it. — 
From here we went to the French frontier, where they 
refused us admittance, without a five days' quarantine in 
consequence of our having been at Francfort, which is in 
the direction of the cholera morbus — we therefore turned 
round, to try and make an entrance in another place, and 
in so doing followed a beautiful little river, the Saar, 
which flows through fertile valleys, and sometimes passes 
among wooded hills, forming some lovely scenery, until 



194 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

we arrived at Treves, which claims to be the most ancient 
City of Europe, and looks down upon Rome as quite of 
modern date. — on one of the houses in the great square, 
it is inscribed in large letters, that Treves is more ancient 
than Rome thirteen hundred years. — We here saw some 
beautiful ruins of the real antiques^ and some modern re- 
mains of the Romans — such as baths of Constantine, 
ruins of an Amphitheatre — from here we rode through 
a desolate country and over bad roads to Luxembourg, 
where through fear of the French, they close the gates 
before seven in the evening — we had all to get out of 
the carriage, and I made a most eloquent petition to the 
officer commanding, in high dutch, through the gate, 
which touched his heart and he finally admitted us, 
through half a dozen different barriers surrounded with 
bayonets and Soldiers, into the faubourg. — The next 
morning, we went on as fast as possible towards the 
french frontier, which we finally passed, and after sleep- 
ing at Rheims, where we saw the celebrated Cathedral 
where the French Kings are crowned, we traveled day 
and night till we arrived happily to our dear Children, 
and found them thank God quite well. Be assured of the 
tenderest love of your affectionate 

S. A. F. C. 

FROM LAFAYETTE TO AMBASSADOR RIVES 

Paris, October 24, 1830 
My dear Sir 

Your visit to the king this evening will Be as welcome 
as it is, on every account, in my opinion, particularly 
proper. I send to Him, in a confidential way Your letter 
Because, altho' a private one, it exposes feelings and 



1830: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 195 

expectations which, I think, ought to Be expressed at 
every opportunity. I will call upon You at a quarter 
before eight so as to Be at eight o'clock at the palais 
Royal. 

Most truly and affectionately 

Your friend 

Lafayette 

My letter was going when 1 receive yours of this morn- 
ing; as I will dine, By myself, rue d'anjou, I may take 
[illegible] Mr. Cooper and bring Him to You. 
Mr. Rives 

FROM CHARLES WILKES 

New York, 9th Nov., 1830 
My dear Sir 

The Water Witch is not yet out, but Walsh in his 
paper has spoken of it in the highest terms. Nothing can 
be more complete than your defense of yourself, for writ- 
ing for money — but it is fighting with windmills, for I 
declare to you, most sincerely, I never heard you, I will 
not say accused of it, but even alluded to, as a mercenary 
author. Certainly every man has a perfect right, with the 
restrictions you mention as to a due respect to religion 
and morals, to exert his talents in the way he likes best. 
If he chooses to employ more of the labor time^ to polish 
his works to the utmost, he may have the pleasure of 
thinking his fame will be more lasting, but even this 
advantage over more hasty productions is by no means 
certain, and strength is often sacrificed to polish. The 
one I fancy is generally an irksome task — the other often 
a delightful one — to embody fleeting visions which pass 
thro' the mind. 



196 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

I am much obliged by your very entertaining ac- 
counts of the wonderful events which have passed and 
are still passing under your view. I remember nothing in 
history which can be compared to the first week in Paris, 
but where is it all to end*? France, peaceful as she is at 
home as well as abroad, may laugh to scorn any attempts 
to interfere with her, in matters of mere domestic ar- 
rangement — even she may mistake the progress of human 
intellect and believe herself fitter than she may prove to 
be, for a republican government — but can Belgium, even 
if united, defend herself, or can it be supposed that 
France will be quietly permitted to annex the Nether- 
lands — so long the object of alarm, and justly too, I 
think, of all Europe — to her own already immense 
power? — I cannot believe it and I much fear that if the 
difficulties and dangers of it are overlooked or not re- 
sisted at the moment, the period cannot be very distant 
when it must produce a general war. I think no person can 
doubt that Belgium as an independent state, will to all 
intents and purposes be a French province. I trust France 
will settle down into a liberal government, with as much 
freedom as she can bear — now, she has but a phantom 
of monarchy and is really a republic in disguise; who can 
doubt that the Citizen-king must yield to the Chamber of 
Deputies, and that he can receive no support from a house 
of Lords constituted as France's is to be *? The great ques- 
tion is whether France is prepared to be a republic as yet. 
I own — and think that it would have been safer to have 
proceeded pas a pas, obtaining and well settling popular 
rights and privileges, understood and endeared by the 
very struggles made to obtain them, rather than to strike 
out, at one heat, a new government depending upon 
logical doctrines and discarding experience. 



1830: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 197 

I beg my kindest regards to M" Cooper, and remain, 
my dear Sir, very sincerely 

Cha^ Wilkes. 

P.S. Miss Wright went to Europe with her sister in June 
and must have arrived sometime in July — I have no 
doubt she will have had every inclination to be in Paris 
during such a period. Do you know whether she is there 
or whether General LaFayette has heard from her^ 

FROM H, N. CRUGER 

Charleston, 22 Nov., 1830. 
Dear Sir, 

Previous to embarking from Liverpool on the second 
of last month I answered your Letter of 28th Sept., and 
promised to write again on my arrival at home, and to 
forward some publications from this part of the Country 
upon the subject of your remarks. Accompanying this 
Letter you will receive a parcel addressed to the care of 
Messrs. Welles & Co., containing two numbers of the 
Southern 'Review^ and several pamphlets. They will give 
you an idea of the feelings and opinions of the South, 
and I commend them to your perusal in the hope that, if 
they do not satisfy you that we are in the right, they will 
at least show you that we act from conscientious and not 
sinister motives, and that our complaints have some 
foundation, and our arguments some show of reason. We 
are put to the ban; and I would not have such as you of 
the majority who oppress us, and revile our resistance. 

I arrived in New York, after a passage of 30 days, in 
the midst of their Elections. As usual the Politics of the 
State were a piece of mosaic, and no one could tell me 



198 CORRESPONDENCE OF [iSao 

the plan. There were eight Parties in the City, and the 
excitement little short of revolutionary heat, altho' no 
constitutional questions or great principles were involved 
in the contest. It resulted in a large majority in favor of 
the present general Administration, and the cry now is 
"Jackson, and State Rights." Of the President's reelec- 
tion there can be no doubt. Clay will be his only oppo- 
nent, and his race will be a forlorn one. J. Q. Adams has 
gone into the House of Representatives again from 
Massachusetts, no one can divine for what, but the step 
meets with general reprobation. Calhoun, having served 
eight years as Vice President, will not be a candidate 
again. 

Altho' opposed upon principle to our Chief Magis- 
trate's serving more than one Term, I am yet glad that 
Gen^ Jackson will be continued in office as things now 
are. Our political elements are undergoing a ferment at 
present that renders the popularity and energy of such a 
person highly desirable, and an escape from presidential 
contest and change will give full scope to the important 
questions now abroach. These are many and momentous, 
all terminating in the fundamental and primeval oppo- 
sition of Federal power and State Rights. This is the 
last struggle between them, and the issue from present 
appearances will probably be the annihilation of State 
sovereignties and the consolidation of all political power 
in a great national Government. This was the scheme for 
a long time adopted in the Convention that framed the 
Constitution, and to get rid of it then cost a severe con- 
test. It is now coming upon us more surely, for the en- 
croachments of the General Government are gradual and 
noiseless, and carry with them all the sympathies of our 
People in behalf of the Union, while the resistance of 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 199 

the States must be concentrated and violent, and are of 
necessity obnoxious to the worst imputations. 

The system of Internal improvements, and of protect- 
ing domestic manufactures, the rechartering of the Bank, 
the disposition of the public Lands, and of the surplus 
Revenue, the extinguishment of Indian Titles, the power 
of the Supreme Court to annul a State Law, and to enter- 
tain appeals from decisions of State Courts, the right of 
a State to nullify an unconstitutional act of Congress, or 
to secede from the Union, and in short the safeguard of 
a minority of the States against a majority of the States, 
or of Congress, are respectively subjects of vast moment 
now afloat on the public mind, perhaps fully for the first 
time, but those who advocate the reserved rights of the 
States have to make way against indifference on the one 
hand, and a series of usurpations on the other, that have 
become sanctified into precedents almost. Our Legisla- 
ture meets to-day. South Carolina is the last stronghold 
of State Rights. A rally will be made at Columbia once 
more, and for the last time. Intimidation from abroad, 
and pusillanimity at home have paralyzed our energies. 
A vote sufficient for the call of a Convention, two thirds, 
will not be polled in the House, altho' the Senate are 
almost unanimous. Many are waiting until the River 
glides by. The vital interests of the South are at stake, 
and I fear lost forever, — they are certainly contrary to 
those of the North and East, and when legislated upon 
by an interested and irresponsible majority, the result is 
of course. Our scheme of a federated Republic has failed. 
How go on things in France*? Do oblige me by a Letter 
or two. By my absence I have lost the opportunity of 
taking a part for the present in public affairs, and shall 
remain for a while "a Looker on in Venice." Apropos, 



200 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1830 

does The Bravo come on bravely? The Water Witch, 
altho' it travelled with me from Paris to London, has not 
reached this corner of the World yet, but every body is on 
the lookout for its bewitching spell. 

With the most cordial greetings, I remain very truly 
yrs. etc., 

H. N. Cruger. 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq., Paris 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Paris, 23 g'^er. jg^o 

I thank you very much my dear friend, for the letter 
that you have written me. We will talk it over before the 
sailing of the packet boat. I do not complain of my actual 
position, because I believe it of use, but it causes me 
deep regret that I can not see my friends, and have not 
the time to interest myself in their affairs. 

The "Commission on Theatres" has asked me some 
questions as to the regulations controlling American 
theatres, which I fear I may answer incorrectly. You 
must be familiar with the regulations governing the 
theatre of New York, be they state laws or city ordi- 
nances. 

What is the form of incorporation for theatres'? Are 
there any restrictions to prevent the difficulties which 
might arise through the presentation of certain plays, and 
are new plays subject to any censorship'? 

Briefly, what is the government control over the 
theatres of New York*? They ask me the same questions 
as regards the theatres of Philadelphia, Boston, and 
other cities in the United States. 

I thought that owing to your literary work you would 
be better able than any other of our Americans in Paris 



1830] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 201 

to answer these questions, in accordance with which they 
would like to regulate the French theatre. 

If you reply in French I shall only have to have it 
copied; if in English I beg that you will write clearly 
that it may be easily translated. If you prefer I will send 
my secretary to write from your dictation. 

In the hope of seeing you this evening, my dear friends, 
I wish you, with all my heart, le ton jour. 

Lafayette 

FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER SISTERS 

Paris, December 29th, 1830 
A merry Christmas to you, my dear sisters. Sue and 
Mr. Cooper and myself are going this evening to a little 
Party, ''sans ceremonie" chez Mrs. Opie. She has been 
repeatedly to see us, and the other morning sat here chat- 
ting an hour or two. — She is a Quaker, and dresses in 
their forms, and adheres to their forms of speech and 
avoids saying Mr. and Mrs. very rigidly, although I 
observed, in speaking of Lords, and Ladies, she gave 
them their Titles; on what principle I know not. I will 
have a little corner in my Letter to say whether or not 
we have a pleasant Evening. To-morrow we are going 
to General LaFayette's and this is more of Dissipation 
than we have had for a long time — for we have been very 
quiet this Winter. — I began a Letter to Anne the other 
day which I have not yet finished, to quiet her apprehen- 
sions about us, during the Trial of the Ex-Ministers — a 
great deal of Tumult was anticipated, but thanks to Gen- 
eral LaFayette — all is now over without riot — there was 
a Moment, when all was at Stake, and nothing but his 
Personal Influence could induce the National Guards to 
act, after the Sentence, condemning the Ministers to Im- 



202 CORRESPONDENCE OF CiSao 

prisonment only, became known. — As it was, they be- 
haved nobly, and supported the Laws, although the Con- 
viction was very general among them, that the Sentence 
was far too lenient. — The late events, have certainly 
added, to the Splendor of the General's Fame, He saw 
them through the Dangers, which they all dreaded — and 
then resigned his office, of Commander of the National 
Guards, — and now they must look out for themselves. 
The Government have behaved very ungratefully to him, 
for the Chamber had proposed his dismission from his 
Office, it was so mean too, immediately after he had been 
of such Service — and in fact done, what no other Man 
in France could have done, restrained the Populace, and 
induced the Citizens to act in defence of the Laws, 
against their wishes, and under great excitement. — His 
family feel it very sensibly. — They say America remem- 
bered his services after forty Years — and here it is for- 
gotten in five months — the Americans rally round Him, 
and love him better and feel prouder of him than ever. 

We had a nice little Party at Friend Opie's — French, 
English, Americans and Poles, or rather Pole, there being 
but one. Friend Opie introduced us, as Mr., Mrs., and 
Miss, so I did her injustice in saying, it was only to 
Lords and Ladies, she gave their Titles — there was only 
one Young Lady, and She and Sue, sat on opposite sides 
of the Room, looking woefully at one another, until at 
length I contrived to get them together, when they 
chatted away very gayly. Most truly and tenderly your 

S. A. Fenimore Cooper 

Amelia Opie, the daughter of James Alderson, M.D., of 
Norwich, was born in 1769. She married John Opie, the painter, 
in 1798. She was a Unitarian until about 1825, when she joined 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 203 

the Society of Friends. She wrote many articles and books, and 
some poems. She was distinguished for her benevolence, charm, 
and ability. It was one of her stories which Cooper was reading 
when he declared that he could write a better one, and to prove it 
wrote Precaution: the story was probably one of either her New 
Tales (1818) or Tales of the Heart (1820). Mrs. Opie died in 
1853. 

FROM CHARLES WILKES 

New York, March 9, 1831 
My dear Sir 

I was much amused and obliged by your kind letter. 
Every part of Europe seems in rather a combustible state 
and even France, from what I can judge, is far from 
being on a bed of roses. It is impossible not to feel a deep 
sympathy for the Poles and yet mine does not extend so 
far as to induce me to wish that France should interfere 
to prevent Russia from suppressing, what Russia will call 
at any rate, a downright insurrection — which would in- 
evitably bring on, it appears to me, a general war — the 
results of which who can foresee^ Manguin's doctrines 
and even our excellent LaFayette's, if they are truly re- 
ported, would lead to consequences that must plunge 
Europe in interminable wars. If the assertion of a people 
of its own sovereignty would justify France in interfer- 
ing, then whenever O'Connell's doctrines shall have pro- 
duced resistance in Ireland, France would have a perfect 
right to send over men and arms to assist them. Surely 
this is going too far and is rather too like the propagan- 
diste doctrines of the convention. I think, in old times, the 
right to assist depended upon its being shewn previously 
that the resisting power had the ability to maintain its 
independence. I heartily wish that the Poles may shew 
this ability, but I much doubt it — nor can I bring myself 



204 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1831 

to hope that a general war will be hazarded for the object, 
when the result must necessarily be so uncertain and may 
only serve to retard, if not to defeat, the amelioration of 
the condition of mankind, which is gradually, but I think 
certainly, advancing. You, who are on the spot and who 
have excellent opportunities of making up just opinions, 
may have no apprehensions from France becoming a 
republic in fact as well as in name, but my old prejudices, 
as very likely they are prejudices, make me believe that 
she never can be so with safety to herself or to her neigh- 
bors. She seems to be even now, always debating on a 
barrel of gunpowder and with so many anxiously hoping 
for and promoting an explosion, I fear it cannot long be 
delayed. By our latest accounts, I have little doubt that 
Belgium, in some form or other, will become a French 
province, which can hardly be submitted to by the rest of 
Europe for any long period. At the same time I cannot 
deny that it seems unreasonable that Belgium should not 
be allowed to choose its own master. 

I feel great anxiety about England — I do not see how 
the Whig administration can long stand its ground. From 
every principle, they must, and I am quite persuaded will, 
with the greatest sincerity, make strong efforts for reform 
and retrenchment — they will attempt so much as will 
inevitably disgust and indispose their new tory allies, 
while it will not satisfy the extravagant and perhaps 
unreasonable expectations of the great body of the people. 
They will have to encounter an opposition formed of all 
the tories, joined by all the discontented parties who lose 
their pensions or their places, in the progress of retrench- 
ment, by all the friends of the East India Company, if 
its charter is refused, by the adherents of the Bank of 
England, if that charter is touched, and by the whole 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 205 

West India interest if any progress is made in the aboli- 
tion of slavery — when to these formidable members are 
added the party which always joins the strongest, how 
can the whig administration hope to stand their ground? 
They will perhaps venture upon a dissolution of parlia- 
ment and throw themselves on the nation, but may it not 
then be found impossible to oppose any limits to the 
overwhelming torrent, which would then, but too prob- 
ably, sweep all landmarks away, in one overwhelming 
ruin'? Certainly I cannot look upon such a course without 
dread. I do not see where an administration can be 
formed with any chance of durability from any other 
materials, which may delay the overturn of the whigs — 
but the experiment may be tried, the Duke of Welling- 
ton may again be placed at the head, and it may be de- 
termined [torn] on every thing by the strong arm of the 
soldier. Such a course must lead to civil war, in a coun- 
try situated as England now is, and God forbid that the 
experiment should be made. You will have seen by the 
paper that M'' Jeffery has been appointed Lord advocate 
of Scotland, which necessarily connects him with the new 
administration and throws him into the political vortex — 
this perhaps has made me view the situation of matters 
more despondingly than I should otherwise have done — 
I truly regret that this has happened, altho' I think he 
could not, honorably, have declined the office — yet he 
accepts it with a real sacrifice of his personal domestic 
happiness and considerable pecuniary loss, and flattering 
as it is to his ambition, it is taking him from the place 
where he was at the height of popularity and esteem and 
perfectly at his ease, and throwing him into a new arena, 
where, to say the least, there will be no predisposition to 
receive him with indulgence and favor, if there be not a 



2o6 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1831 

contrary feeling. But it is high time I should relieve you 
from my gossiping politics. I beg my kindest regards to 
M'"^ Cooper — 

I am always, my d'' Sir, very sincerely 

Yrs 

C. Wilkes 

P. S. Pray let me know what you may hear at any time 
about Miss Wright or her sister — I conclude they are 
once more under the protection of General LaFayette 
and I dare say with undiminished influence. In spite of 
all their aberrations I take a warm interest in their behalf. 
I do not write to the General, because I feel how much 
his time is necessarily occupied and that I have nothing 
to say, but to express my admiration of the constant 
claims he is adding to the gratitude of his country. I often 
differ from him in his opinions but never feel the least 
diminution in my opinion of his perfect integrity and 
most disinterested patriotism. 

FROM H. N. CRUGER 

Charleston, 12 May, 1831 
Your very obliging, and highly interesting Letter of 
17th — 27th Feb., my dear Sir, reached me a short time 
since, and I avail myself of the first vessel direct from 
here to Havre to render you an answer by way of ac- 
knowledgement. The particulars you give of the situation 
and plans of your Family afforded me much gratification, 
but I regret to perceive that your return to this Country 
is involved in uncertainty. Heartily will I concur with 
you in disabusing our Countrymen of Cant, but I fear the 
world must ever be governed by that arch impostor, 
Humbug. The venerable precept "if the People will be 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 207 

deceived, let them be deceived," opens the surest game to 
such as have a proper honor of being in a minority. 

Slavery to a certain extent is inseparable from the 
social State; with us the tyrant is the majority, in Europe 
it is the few. Responsibility to the people is the best check 
upon tyranny. The individual tyrant is at all events 
responsible to the dagger, or the guillotine, or to being 
horned out of his Kingdom. But, with us, the majority 
in Congress are under no responsibility, they are strong 
and relentless in aggregation, and intangible because per- 
sonally they disperse far and wide. The theory undoubt- 
edly is that they are responsible as Representatives to 
their Constituents thro' the ballot boxes, but what if the 
constituents also conspire against the minority*? How is 
a voter in South Carolina to operate upon a member in 
Congress from Rhode Island^ It is the interest of the 
northern States to have a tariff, — that of the southern 
States not to have any Custom Houses at all. The latter 
say the protective system is unconstitutional. The former 
blank that question, and carry their measure by majori- 
ties. Why need they care for the Constitution? Who is to 
call them to account? Who can check their career? What 
tribunal is to rectify their usurpations? It is their interest^ 
and man never turns a deaf ear to that monitor. They 
know little of the Constitution, and care less. Your propo- 
sition is to cure all this by resorting to the amending 
power. I agree with you, could this be brought into opera- 
tion, all evil would end. This was to have been the safety 
valve, but it is now hermetically sealed — the sanitive 
principle, but it is now a dead Letter. An amendment 
can be originated only by two thirds of Congress, or of the 
State Legislatures, and must be ratified by three fourths. 
Even if the majority who passed the Tariff were desirous 



2o8 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

of procuring an amendment to give Congress the disputed 
power, they could not obtain a vote of two thirds for the 
purpose. What chance then would the minority have*? 
There are now under discussion here six cardinal ques- 
tions involving the powers of Congress under the Consti- 
tution. The majorities in Congress go on exercising those 
powers notwithstanding the disputes and doubts attached 
to each, because it would be gratuitous folly to ask for an 
amendment to enable them to do that which they can do 
without, knowing too by their slender superiority in num- 
bers that they could not even procure a vote of two thirds 
initiative of their increase of power. All that the South 
asks is a Convention either to declare the powers of Con- 
gress, or give them such as are needed, by way of amend- 
ment. Debarred by their numerical inferiority from the 
regular process of invocation, they propose exercising the 
sovereign right of a state to place her Veto upon an un- 
constitutional act of Congress so as to annul its operation 
within her own limits. For this she is reviled in terms 
little suited to the atmosphere of freedom, or the spirit 
of a Southerner. What else is,she to do'? Put the case of 
a single State so isolated in her interests, and so peculiar, 
as to make it the game of the rest of the confederacy to 
oppress her for their own good. Could she even bring the 
amending clause into play, your recipe might avail — but 
that is impracticable. She must then resort to argument, 
and calm and measured language, because there is "nei- 
ther logic nor tact in a threat." Upon even a clear and 
indisputable point is it the wont of mankind to forego 
power, and sacrifice their interests because it is asked of 
them"? How much less likely is it for them to do so where 
they have a pretext, or indeed may conscientiously be- 
lieve that they are in the right*? Suppose Congress for the 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 209 

sake of the "General Welfare" should elect a King to 
reign over us? The minority must reason, and use soft 
words, however flagrant the breach of the Constitution, 
or the injustice, and their sectional suffering. This the 
majority would construe into submission. At all events 
they would augur from it timely conversion. There is no 
other remedy. The amending power would have been very 
consolatory to Tantalus, as showing him company in his 
miser}^ To go to the Supreme Court, is but at best appeal- 
ing from Alexander drunk to Alexander sober. There 
remains that ultimate terrible resort, the right of a State 
to secede from the Union, high, unquestionable, inappre- 
ciable, but desperate. It is not true that the South has 
threatened to secede, or "menaced dissolution." She has 
been foully misrepresented, sinfully misunderstood. As 
an intermediate remedy (in the very article proving her 
devotion to the Union) she has proposed to arrest the 
Tariff as the only means of bringing about the high 
arbitrament of a general Convention to decide a question 
long agitated upon which argument has been exhausted, 
involving not her partial interests merely but her very 
existence with the Law of the Constitution, and the 
rights of man. Her remedy is repudiated as impracticable, 
and visited with the censure of consequences wholly for- 
eign, as though a physician prescribing an anodyne were 
to be turned out of doors with the charge of an intent to 
poison. The impression you have that we are wrong in 
using warm and energetic language before cool argument 
and negotiation is like condemning a Tragedy for being 
too bloody when you happened in at the catastrophe with- 
out witnessing any of the previous scenes. Since the year 
1816 the South has been petitioning, remonstrating, 
memorializing, speechifying, pamphleteering, and pro- 



210 CORRESPONDENCE OF [iSsi 

testing in terms calm, deprecatory, soothing, conciliating, 
humble, and even base, and now she has taken to hoping^ 
but all in vain. She sometimes uses strong language, and 
speaks as she ought to act. This too is in vain, and what 
marvel"? As if all this, or aught short of absolute neces- 
sity, would induce an interested and irresponsible major- 
ity to give up their usurious percentage on a debatable 
point. We give the proverbially selfish Eastern man 
credit for prodigious fatuity in supposing he will give up 
his hold to any thing short of superior interest, and truly, 
to be candid, that the South would do quite as much, were 
positions changed, may be drawn into some question. You 
appear to ridicule the idea that a Country can't buy unless 
it sells, and you mention our Trade with China as an 
instance to the contrary, inquiring "what we send thither 
for sale?" This is a matter of necessity, there is no com- 
petition, no choice. If we could obtain Tea from South 
America, as good and cheap, or even inferior, in exchange 
for our products, how long do you think the Trade with 
China would last*? Or do you think we would forego the 
freight and profits upon an outward Cargo of Rice, Cot- 
ton, Tobacco, or manufactured articles, and carry Dollars 
and Eagles to our Sister Continent upon which no 
increase would accrue in this shape in order to bring back 
Tea, if it grew there, contented with the single accumula- 
tion upon the return Cargo? Money, or gold and silver 
are "articles of commerce" only by halves — valuable not 
by what they sell for, but from what they purchase. 
Intrinsically they are of less value than many other 
metals — their only value of utility being but partially 
reproductive; they may be made up into plate, jewelry, 
and ornaments, but there their consequence terminates. 
If the English cannot bring their manufactures to this 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 211 

Country wherewithal to buy our Staples, it is said they 
will import specie. Most certainly they would not do this 
unless from dire necessity, because their ships would come 
in ballast, and they would sink the freight, commissions, 
and profits upon a cargo of merchandize. The single 
operation of carrying our Cotton out would not Defray 
the double voyage. Could we keep, or had we even now 
the entire monopoly of supplying them with Cotton, 
Rice, and Tobacco, we might perhaps drive them into a 
Trade similar to that carried on between this Country 
and China. Unfortunately for us however there are other 
Countries to which they can resort for the same commodi- 
ties, and there are other articles they can substitute in 
their place, while the world can go nowhere else but to 
China for Tea, nor use any thing in its stead. And were 
it possible, would not our merchants and ship owners 
suffer in common with theirs by being debarred by the 
freight and sales of the Cargoes to our Ports'? 

That we shall not be able to compel Great Britain, or 
the rest of the world, to buy our Cotton with specie^ or 
go without, we need no other demonstration than the duty 
lately proposed in Parliament to protect India Cotton, 
and the following advices from Liverpool under date of 
26th March last: 

"There seems no chance for fine Sea Islands. The low 
price of Silk Goods, the improved quality of Egyptian 
Cottons, and the improved state of our machinery, 
enabling us to produce a finer article from a raw material 
of inferior quality, all operate against fine Cottons, and 
must do so permanently." 

By the blessings of the Tariff here is a recipe for our 
total destruction. We will not take the manufactures of 
England, and it is therefore her interest to deal with some 



212 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

one who will, or replace our exports by some other article 
of consumption. From Brazil, Egypt, and India she can 
obtain Cotton of the same quality as our coarse staple. 
To the two first she can send her manufactures to pur- 
chase it with, and with regard to the last she can not only 
do this, but protect its importation by discriminating 
duties. It may be questioned that the coarse Cottons from 
those Countries are equal to ours; in the words of the 
above quotation "the improved state of machinery" will 
compensate for the difference. There was a time when the 
Indigo grown in this Country was far superior to that 
from India, and a large article of Commerce. From the 
improved mode of cultivation in India, the plant with us 
is almost extinct. The same will ensue as to short staple 
Cottons. Then as to the Sea Islands. Their consumption 
will be superseded from two causes, altho' they possibly 
can be produced in no other part of the world. As fine 
goods, from improved mechanism, will be made out of 
"raw materials of inferior quality," — or, if not, a vast 
increase of silks will take place. The productions of this 
article are illimitable, and no one will wear Cotton who 
can wear silk. Do you remember at Florence, the curtains 
of the beds and windows were of silk, rich, and beautiful, 
the chairs and sophas covered with it, and even the walls 
of the rooms hung with silk tapestry? 

The contemplated duty on Cotton in England, you 
say, will not diminish our sales. The foreign exports of 
this article from the U. S. are estimated at three hundred 
millions of pounds. Subjecting that portion of it which 
goes to Great Britain to an impost of five eighths of a 
penny, or one and a half cents, we shall have to pay at 
their Custom Houses in addition to the present burdens 
at least three millions of Dollars. At present the highest 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 213 

sales of upland Cotton may be quoted at nine cents the 
pound. Deducting a cent and a half from this price, I 
imagine the Planters will be in a situation to care little 
whether their sales at seven and a half cents are dimin- 
ished in quantity or not. Should however the Indian 
Cotton crowd out ours from the British market by reason 
of the bounty, and prohibition of this measure, you con- 
sole us with the idea that the North will take all that is 
rejected. Even could they, you must remember that it 
would be at their own prices, as there would then be no 
other buyers to compete with. In ten years you suppose 
the Northern States will buy and consume as much Cot- 
ton as England does, and that we shall then be as glad of 
her custom as we are now displeased at its creation. Could 
this result from natural causes, without the unconstitu- 
tional intervention of Government, and without our suf- 
fering in the interim, certainly there could exist no objec- 
tion even on our part. But the case is like that of a 
Farmer who has for many years supplied his neighbor, a 
rich merchant with a numerous family who consume large 
quantities of his agriculture products, and in return re- 
ceives what manufactured articles he needs. A manufac- 
turer settles near them, poor, and without any children. 
By using some extraneous power he compels the Farmer 
to give up his trade with the merchant and deal solely 
with him, altho' he buys less, and at lower rates. To en- 
courage the sufferer he tells him coolly, — "Oh, never 
mind, in ten years' time I shall have nine children too, 
and be rich enough to buy all you can raise, and in the 
meanwhile you can just starve, you know, or go to the 
Devil, as you like." In reality however the manufactur- 
ing States never will be able to use up the Cotton pro- 
duced by the South. 



214 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1831 

The words of this part of your Letter are, "all the 
North asks of the South is a light and te?nporary sacrifice 
until we can organize, and mature our means." The Pro- 
tective System has operated in full vigor from 1816 now 
fifteen years, and its rates have been constantly on the 
increase. At present those rates are from 40 to 200 per 
cent on articles chiefly consumed on this side of the 
Potomac. The sacrifices therefore have been neither 
"light," nor "temporary." Nor have they resulted in 
either of the promised benefits. Notwithstanding this 
great lapse of time and this enormous encouragement, the 
means of the Domestic manufacturer are not "organized 
and matured" sufficiently even yet to beat down foreign 
competition, for the agents from Manchester, Birming- 
ham and Glasgow undersell them all round the com- 
pass, — and as to a demand being created in the United 
States equal to that from abroad, this well tested experi- 
ment shows a consumption at home of only one hundred 
and fifty thousand Bales of Cotton, while the exports 
across the Atlantic are nine hundred thousand Bales. If 
then fifteen years give these results, what will ten more 
give"? The sacrifices all the while too being on the shrine 
of avarice, and extortion, and at the expense of Liberty 
and the Constitution, 

That England buys of us, and we import her goods as 
cheap as formerly, is undoubtedly true. But upon the 
amendment clause your argument is that because the Co- 
partners have reserved to three fourths the right of mak- 
ing alterations without restraint (except as to equality of 
representation in the Senate) therefore a majority in 
Congress may do even more than they have already per- 
petrated against the existing Constitution; in other 
words, that the power of amendment being under but one 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 215 

limit, one fourth of the States would be bound to submit 
to whatever the rest should conspire to engraft upon the 
original compact. Suppose the peculiar property of the 
South should be abolished by a vote of three fourths to 
amend by repealing that clause which guaranties (by 
recognizing) its existence as an ingredient in the ratio of 
election? Would this be within the scope of the amend- 
ing power? If it were, a baneful and unsuspected potency 
would be given to that part of the Constitution which the 
South in its best days never scented afar. Even Rawlins 
Lowndes, the Patrick Henry of South Carolina, when 
he declared his "sincere belief, that when the Constitu- 
tion would be adopted, the Sun of the Southern States 
would set never to rise again," and wished "when he 
ceased to exist for no other epitaph than to have inscribed 
on his tomb, 'Here lies the man who opposed the Consti- 
tution,' " never comprehended even vaguely such a possi- 
bility. At most however the position is, that because the 
power in dispute might be acquired by amending, there- 
fore it may be taken by violating the Constitution. For 
if amendment be necessary to its exercise, to exercise it 
without must assuredly be unconstitutional. Were the 
power to be taken by amendment^ the remedy with the 
minority would then be, secession from the Union, — 
when it is taken by violation^ the remedy is, by State 
Veto. 

You suggest that we should waive the question of the 
constitutionality of the Tariff and take up our position 
upon its expediency, altho' you are yourself in its favor 
on the latter ground. In a free and republican country 
we say no government has a right in any way to interfere 
even beneficially with the industry, enterprize, and avoca- 
tions of its citizens, altho' all were equally benefited by 



2i6 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1831 

such interference. Much less has our Government of 
expressly limited, few, and simple functions, the right 
to interfere by protecting some at the expense of others. 
We stand upon higher ground than the Constitution 
even; and we impugn the policy of legislating over much. 
It is impossible however to forego our reliance upon the 
second clause of the tenth section of the Constitution, 
which according to the cotemporaneous testimony of 
Luther Martin was purposely introduced to reserve to 
the States individually the right of protecting their own 
manufactures. It never has been acted on as yet, and 
unless such be its object, the singular and absurd anomaly 
of an unmeaning provision protrudes from our remark- 
ably condensed Constitution. A strong recommendation 
in favor of this construction is that it is consonant with 
reason and equity. If Massachusetts or Rhode Island 
wish to protect their peculiar products, let them do so at 
the expense of their oiv7i inhabitants, who have a common 
interest in the measure, and not at that of the rest of the 
Union, whose interests are adverse. You rest your De- 
fence of the expediency of the Tariff upon the policy of 
other nations. As they have restrictive measures in vogue, 
therefore we must retaliate. This argument would have 
much weight, urged to one of the individual States just 
named, whose interests are homogeneous and in competi- 
tion with foreigners. But at the South we have no com- 
petitors, and if we had I trust would rather rely proudly 
and independently upon our own exertions to beat them, 
than invoke the aid of the General Government, particu- 
larly when that aid would be rendered only upon dis- 
putable authority, and at the cost of our Sister States. 
If Congress could retaliate upon the Com Laws of Eng- 
land at the level expense of the whole U. S., then would 



1831:] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 217 

there be some smack of justice in the procedure. But, 
when this can be done only at the prejudice of a large 
section of the Country, why should that section be sacri- 
ficed under a Government professing for its basis the 
doctrine of equal benefits and equal burdens^ And is this 
pretence of retaliation q_uite disinterested? How does it 
work*? The manufacturing States have all the profits, and 
suflter none of the evils, while the process is exactly re- 
versed with the Plantation States. If they wish to retali- 
ate^ or to protect, let them do so in Heaven's name, pro- 
vided it is at their own, and not other people's expense. 
We do not ask the aid of Government. All that we want is 
an open field, and no favor. In the whole of this dispute, 
it should be recollected that we are perfectly willing to 
let things take their natural course. We are willing to 
meet the North on equal terms, without the intervention 
of Government in our behalf. We ask no Bounties upon 
the products of our labor, we seek not to retaliate upon 
our foreign competitors to the injury of our Brethren. 
But, when a compact made, as we conceive, for specific 
purposes, is perv^erted by a bare and interested majority 
to apocryphal and meddlesome domestic purposes, threat- 
ening destruction to our very existence, it is time for us 
to give the word "as you were !" 

England you mention as an instance of the advantages 
of the restrictive Policy. Would you defend their Com 
Laws? Are not the poor of that Country by their opera- 
tion made to pay to the Aristocracy, the lordly Land- 
holders, as much for one loaf of bread, as with open 
markets they could purchase one and a half or two loaves 
with? Break down their Protective System, and could we 
not supply them with flour cheaper than they could raise 
it? Is not the Tariff in favor of domestic manufactures 



2i8 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

the very ditto of the Corn Laws *? Is not all the mystifica- 
tion and humbug about being independent of foreign 
Countries, and encouraging native industry, just as 
applicable to the English Nobleman's monopoly of the 
Corn market, as it is to the Yankee manufacturer's 
monopoly of the American market; with this difference, 
that there the Government is consolidated, and here it is 
a confederacy of diverse, remote, and distinctly marked 
sectional interests^ But, in truth, the power and prosper- 
ity of Great Britain, if not in spite, at least was not 
owing to her restrictive Policy. As well might you say 
that the flourishing condition of the Celestial Empire was 
attributable to the monopoly granted by impertinent Law 
to the Hong merchants at Canton. England owes her 
ascendancy to higher and better grounds, to the intelli- 
gence of her People, and their superiority in the useful 
arts. It is true that she has fewer exchangeable products 
of the soil than almost any other nation, and she does not 
grow money. But, from her superabundant population 
and amazing improvements in machinery, she has been 
enabled to ivork up materials brought from abroad, and 
from her seafaring site, and by her innumerable shipping 
and great skill in navigation, she has monopolized the 
carrying trade of all the world. In her swarming Island 
were the workshops of the rest of mankind, — to her well 
built and well managed vessels were entrusted their 
Cargoes. Heretofore they have encountered no competi- 
tion in these particulars, and hence their prodigious 
aggrandizement. In the latter however we have already 
put a spoke in their wheel, and that too without the aid 
of Government. In the former we should quickly do the 
same had we her dense and starving population. But 
so long as man can thrive by agricultural pursuits, he 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 219 

never will consent to the drudgery and slavery of Fac- 
tories. Even the strong temptation to do a violence to his 
nature held out by our Government will not avail, be- 
cause the cupidity thus excited will find a richer harvest in 
smuggling. 

It is undoubtedly true, as you allege, that England 
would not buy our Cotton if she could get the article else- 
where as good, and cheap. She is jealous of us, and we are 
to expect nothing from her liberality. But all People will 
buy wherever it is their interest to do so, unless their 
Government pragmatically and overweeningly interfere. 
Have her means of manufacturing and consuming been 
stationary? Her population has augmented, and her labor 
saving machinery turns out three fold what it used to, 
but her demand for our Cotton has not increased in pro- 
portion. And why? Because she has been driven to other 
Countries to seek the commodity, or is fast substituting 
Silk in its place. If we would receive her manufactures 
freely, she could afford to take in return larger quantities 
of our productions for the use even of her own people, 
whose consumption of Cotton fabrics would conse- 
quently extend. Not only has not her demand for Cotton 
increased in the proportion which it ought to, but the 
price within the last fifteen years has fallen from eighteen 
to nine and seven cents per pound. 

If we purchase imported goods as cheap as we used to 
a few years back, do you credit that to the Tariff? If so, 
then is our "American System" a very philanthropic one, 
for it has also spread its protection over British manu- 
factures. What do you estimate the difference at, of buy- 
ing a yard of Cloth outside of our Bar, and inside"? The 
coat I have on cost me last fall in London eighteen dol- 
lars, here the price would be from twenty-five to thirty- 



220 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1831 

six. The correct comparison is, not between what prices 
are now and what they were formerly, but between their 
present rate and that which would exist if there were no 
Duties to be paid at the Custom House. To attach this 
merit to the Tariff, you hiust first show that English 
manufactures have remained stationary in their cost, 
while ours have cheapened, and then the "Bill of Abomi- 
nations" need no longer exist, for, hot headed as we are, 
we know the difference between a ten and a five dollar 
bill, and would be very apt to buy where we could do so 
cheapest. Abolish the Tariff to-morrow, and the value of 
our staples would be enhanced twenty per cent, and on 
an average we should get imported goods at half their 
present prices. But that would break up the hot bed 
manufactories, and therefore we must pay double, and 
lose the foreign market and competition, not by fair play 
or from natural causes, but because a majority of six 
interested men says so. All along even the moderate 
among us — the sagacious political economists who held 
that we suffered only as consumers — have admitted that 
the loss of the foreign market would be an unbearable 
and irremediable evil. It is now fast coming upon us, as 
common sense foresaw, and as the unbelieving may sus- 
pect by token of the English Project to protect their 
India Cotton. The argument was, that the British manu- 
facturer must buy our Cotton, he could not help himself. 
He knows whence he gets indigo, and he will soon think 
as did good Queen Bess when she drew on the first pair of 
silk stockings imported into England, that "they are a 
marvellous pleasant wear." 

As to your proposition that New York suffers under 
the Tariff as much as Carolina, it is not accurate to the 
full extent. In their shipping interests, and as consumers^ 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 221 

they sustain a common injury, but the South also bleeds 
as a producer. You will recollect that two thirds of all the 
Exports from this Country are produced in the seven 
Slave holding States. It is with the proceeds of these ex- 
ports that the goods are purchased which bear the Duties. 
That these duties are made to fall back upon the original 
grower, thro' an abatement in the price paid him for his 
Produce, if not wholly true, is so to a great extent. The 
Consumer in fact pays but little of the impost, altho' the 
Tariff men would make us swallow that imposture too. 
Simplify the matter as much as possible, and your con- 
clusions will be more direct and satisfactory. Dispense 
with the intervention of merchants and agents altogether. 
The contest is to supply the home market with manufac- 
tured goods, the competitors are the Hong, or Domestic 
manufacturer, and the Southern Planter unaided by 
Government. For instance, suppose a Planter to take his 
hundred Bales of Cotton himself to Liverpool, sell it 
there, purchase manufactured articles with the proceeds, 
and carry them to the New York market. Upon landing 
them he has to pay the tremendous Tariff duties. How 
will he reimburse himself these expenses^ Were there no 
competition in the market, of course by putting such a 
price upon his goods as would throw the burden upon the 
Consumer. But the market is not open. The Domestic 
manufacturer is in the field already. Upon what terms 
do they encounter? Naturally is there any equality be- 
tween them? The Planter has just carried his raw mate- 
rial over the Atlantic, paying freight and insurance, in- 
curring risk, and bestowing his time and personal attend- 
ance, he has paid the duties on it at the English Custom 
House, and in its place has purchased articles manufac- 
tured under the pressure of English Taxation. These he 



222 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

brings back over the Ocean again, paying Freight, and 
Insurance, and devoting risk, time, and attention, all 
going to enhance their cost. The Domestic manufacturer 
is exempt from all this. He has the material at his door, 
or pays but little freight for it, he has not to carry his 
goods to a distant market, and at home pays but trifling 
Taxes. One would think with these advantages in his 
favor he could rout the Planter incontinently. Not so 
however, for even with Protection from Uncle Sam to 
the tune of at least forty per cent, he is undersold. Yet in 
consequence of his being there to show competition the 
Planter must keep down his prices, and cannot charge so 
much as will indemnify him against the Duties from the 
Buyer of his imported goods. Who then pays the Piper? 
The consumer escapes thro' their competition, tho' he 
pays twice as much as he ought to do. Does the Planter 
compensate for these Duties by making the English 
manufacturer sell him the goods cheaper than he other- 
wise would? Were the Planter the Englishman's only 
Customer he might perhaps have that control over him, 
and then we should have the funny state of things which 
a very wise member of Congress at its last Session said 
actually existed — of our Taxes being paid by his Britan- 
nic Majesty's subjects in addition to their own! But 
no — he can visit the burdens of the Tariff upon neither 
the Consumer nor the manufacturer of his imported 
goods, but must reduce his profits to the least point of 
remuneration. If instead of being his own Shipper and 
Importer, he sells his Cotton here, the merchants will of 
course make such an abatement in the price he pays as 
will enable him to meet the Duties upon the return 
Cargo. Upon the Planter, who has no competition in his 
favor and no escape, he must make it fall, for he will 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 223 

have neither the manufacturer nor the Consumer at the 
same advantage. 

The supposition that some of the evils of which we 
complain are owing to over production may or not be 
true. That however is an evil which will cure itself. No 
Government under the Sun has rightfully any thing to 
do with these matters. They say we are anxious to get 
rid of the Custom of the North. Truly this is not so. We 
shall be very glad of their custom, but we don't want to 
pay for it. Let it come naturally, without the interference 
of the Law, or at any body's expense but ours, and it will 
be welcome purely. You would find that a queer, tho' to 
yourself^ a pleasant trade were your Chapelier in the Rue 
Richlieu at Paris to pay you for buying a Hat of him. If 
the Northern States can hereafter be as good Customers 
to us as the English now are, the sooner the better, only 
we object to paying for it in advance. Whether when 
separated from the other States we should be better or 
worse off, a few years ago was never a question dreamt of, 
but this accursed Tariff has put us upon our mettle, and 
set our wits at work. Very possibly we should have to pay 
duties upon carrying our Cotton to Northern Ports, but 
that would be on only one sixth of the whole, while we 
should introduce the manufactures bought with the other 
five sixths into Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, and New 
Orleans at a rate of Duty barely sufficient for Revenue, 
say ten or fifteen per cent. As a question of interest 
merely the South assuredly have nothing to lose, nor have 
they any fears to consult. But they have given their 
Bond, and however hard the bargain, whatever is in the 
Bond, they will stick to. All they complain of is, being 
required to render that "which is not nominated in the 
Bond." The "pound of flesh they'll yield, and cheerfully, 



224 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

but not a jot of blood," — "millions for Defence, but not 
a Cent for Tribute." 

So long as the States of the Confederacy were confined 
to the sea board, were engaged in Commerce, and equally 
consumed those imported articles which were dutiable, 
the System of collecting Federal Taxes through Custom 
Houses was a fair one. At that time too fifteen per Cent 
was regarded as a heavy impost. But now when the 
majority of the People are remote from the Atlantic, and 
need pay no Taxes at all to the General Government if 
they will avoid the use of commodities brought from 
abroad, its operation is exceedingly unequal, and onerous. 
All the products of labor should in a country of just 
Laws be equally subjected to taxation. Here four fifths 
of these products contribute nothing at all to the Federal 
Treasury, the whole assessment falling upon that prop- 
erty which passes through the Custom House. Doubtless 
in praising our Country, you lead off your eulogium by a 
statement of the exceedingly low Taxes we pay, to the 
astonishment of the Foreigner. Undoubtedly taking the 
money gathered into the Treasury, and dividing it among 
our twelve millions of Inhabitants, your quotient will be 
curiously small, but the fact is, the Tax paying part of 
our Citizens are more heavily taxed than all the occu- 
pants of any other Country the world round. As things 
now stand in the U. S. the only equitable and uniform 
mode of Taxation would be to abolish Custom Houses 
altogether, and resort to direct taxes, or, retaining the 
Custom Houses, to impose upon every thing imported a 
duty ad valorem indiscriminately, and an excise upon all 
the other products of labor throughout the Land. 

You deprecate the tone in which these matters are dis- 
cussed at the South, and allude to our sensitiveness on 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 225 

the subject of slavery to show that it is unwise. The cases 
by no means run on all fours. Were the manufacturers of 
the North content, as we are, with natural advantages, 
were they on equal terms with us, the objection would 
be forcible. But they stand on a vantage ground. They 
have, by fraud and by force, enlisted the Government on 
their side, and when with its assistance they push on to 
crush and trample us down, — when we the aggrieved 
party seek as a powerless minority to obtain redress for 
our grievances, they the aggressors, instead of listening 
to our arguments and remonstrances, turn upon us with 
contumely and abuse ; instead of making concessions, and 
offering conciliation to preserve the Union, they denounce 
us for our resistance as Dis-unionists, and Traitors, and 
fiendlike strive to paralyze our efforts by threatening to 
stir up at our hearths ''bellum plusquam civile." 

But believe me, my dear Sir, "you are wrongly in- 
formed when you are told that any thing has been said, or 
done, against the Union in this quarter." The imputation 
was "a device of the enemy," and was taken up at home 
for party and electioneering purposes by some who would 
not reluct at gracing their own petty triumphs with the 
disgrace of their native State. "The Union must be pre- 
served," and is surely worth more than the Tariff. The 
measures in agitation here are to preserve, not to destroy 
it, by vindicating the Constitution. The enemies of the 
American Union are the Friends of the "American 
System." 

Whatever chances with you in Europe, we are the 
causes of, but there will be no reaction. Every Revolution 
or popular movement in that hemisphere has a direct ref- 
erence, and is a high compliment, to the Institutions in 
this. I thank you cordially for the interesting details you 



226 CORRESPONDENCE OF [iSai 

have afforded me, and trust you will continue them not- 
withstanding the retort of so long a Letter. Heartily do 
I sympathize with you in your glowing recollections and 
deep interest for Italy. I fear much however that' her 
case is hopeless. The plan of a confederation, and of one 
nation from the Alps along the Mediterranean and the 
Adriatic, is a glorious one, but destined in particular to 
fail. They never will be unanimous. Forsyth has a remark 
upon this subject perfectly characteristic, "the strongest 
bond of Union among Italians is only a coincidence of 
hatred." 

Farewell, my dear Sir, present my most respectful com- 
pliments to Mrs. Cooper, and believe me very truly your 
obliged and sincere Friend, 

and ob* Serv*, 

H. N. Cruger. 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE N CW Monthly [cOPy] 

Paris, May 2 1st, 1831 
Dear Sir, 

Since I wrote acknowledging the receipt of your letter 
on the subject of the article in the New Monthly^ I have 
been able to get a copy from a circulating library, and of 
reading it. 

I never suspected myself of meriting (and you will 
excuse me if I say I do not even now) the high enco- 
miums you, or some one for you, have passed on my tales. 
I am greatly afraid the world will think you have a good 
deal exceeded what the occasion required. But that is an 
affair I shall leave you to settle with your readers as well 
as you can. For your good opinion, it is my business to 
thank you. I shall not do this much however, without 
raising a point of difference between us. In a note you 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 227 

call me the "rival of Sir Walter Scott." Now the idea of 
rivalry with him never crossed my brain. I have always 
spoken, written and thought of Sir Walter Scott (as a 
writer) just as I should think and speak of Shakespeare — 
with high admiration of his talent, but with no silly 
reserve, as if I thought my own position rendered it 
necessary that I should use more delicacy than other men. 
What I like I say I like, and it is most that he has writ- 
ten, and what I do not like I say I do not like. No man 
would think of saying that Titus Andronicus or Pericles 
of Tyre is equal to Othello or Hamlet^ and no man, in 
his senses, would say that Redgauntlet is equal to The 
Antiquary or The Heart of Midlothian. If there is a 
term that gives me more disgust than any other, it is to 
be called, as some on the continent advertise me^ the 
"American Walter Scott." It is offensive to a gentleman 
to be nicknamed at all, and there is a pretension in the 
title, which offends me more than all the abusive reviews 
that ever were written. 

You have appreciated my motives in regard to my own 
country, and it has given me great satisfaction. Her 
mental independence is my object, and if I can go down 
to the grave with the reflection that I have done a little 
towards it, I shall have the consolation of knowing that I 
have not been useless in my generation. And now I shall 
pick a quarrel with you about that very country, which 
you say, and say truly, is my pride and object. 

In the article on Capt. Beechy's voyage, page 373, one 
of your contributors says that the English are much better 
off than any other people in the obedience of their seamen, 
and then gives as proofs of his position the facts that some 
French navigator admits that his crew was entirely de- 
moralized, and that the late American expedition sent out 



228 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

by government had mutinied, and put its officers "bag 
and baggage" on shore. Your correspondent is neither 
right in his fact nor in his inference. The American 
Government has never sent out any expedition of the sort 
named, and consequently the crew of no discovery ships 
of the U. States can have mutinied. The merchants of 
New York have sent out a brig with the double object of 
trade and discovery, and there was a report that the sea- 
men thought there was too much work and too little 
profit, in which they were to share as is usual with sealers, 
and that they refused to proceed. Even this story, if not 
entirely false, has been much exaggerated, since the last 
accounts say that the expedition is going on. I remember 
of no instance of a mutiny in the American Navy, of any 
serious result. Formerly the men enlisted for two years, 
and then occurred one or two cases of dissatisfaction in 
ships on stations, the men refusing to serve beyond the 
time of enlistment; but in every case the officers subdued 
the seamen, although it was directly in face of the law. 
A statute has made a provision for such cases, at present, 
and there is an end of the difficulty. Now what will your 
correspondent say of the mutiny of the Non — of the 
Hermione — of the Bounty, whose case is alluded to in his 
own article, and of fifty more that I could name? 

There is no seaman so easily governed (lawfully) as 
the American. This is a fact known to any man who ever 
served. The reason is obvious. They are more protected, 
have confidence in that protection, and are generally of a 
much better origin than the European sailor. The Ameri- 
can native is a mild and reasoning creature, and is every- 
where governed without bayonets. God knows what they 
may become, but this is their character at present; now 
were I to say this in a book, it is ten to one but the article 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 229 

of your correspondent would be quoted against me, as 
proof that I was wrong. 

[J. F. C] 

TO RICHARD COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Paris, May 25th, 1831. 
My dear Dick, 

Your aunt has just received a letter from Mrs. 
Pomeroy, which contains the following sentence. "Rich- 
ard has an office, etc., etc. ; he is very steady and of excel- 
lent morals and is greatly beloved by us all." This is so 
good a character, coming as it does from a very rigid 
moralist, that I cannot permit the occasion to go by with- 
out expressing the gratification it has given me. You live 
in a country in which any man of your capacity and edu- 
cation can make his way honorably and fairly to distinc- 
tion, and I sincerely hope, as I believe, that your future 
career will do no discredit to your early promise. 

News from the valley at the foot of Otsego is not so 
uncommon an occurrence as you may imagine, in your 
retirement. Mr. Morse brought us direct intelligence 
from you about a year since, and there was a Mr. Prall 
in Rome, who appeared to be very conversant with the 
interests of the younger part of your little circle. It is odd 
enough that I had a visit, when in Tuscany, from an 
officer of one of our frigates who told me he was born in 
Cooperstown. This is probably the first male native who 
ever found his way into Italy, for you will remember 
that I am a Jersey-man bom, and both William and Paul 
are New Yorkers. 

Our European visit is nearly ended. I should have 
come home this summer were it not for the educations of 
your cousins. Susan, who is now a fine young woman of 



230 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

eighteen, is so near finishing that I did not like to take 
her away from her masters until she had quite done so. 
I do not know that the substantial parts of education are 
obtained as well abroad as at home, but the accomplish- 
ments are certainly of a much higher kind. We endeavor 
to remedy the more serious defects by directing the reading 
of the girls ourselves. 

Your little kinsman Paul is a fine, mischievous, kind- 
hearted boy of seven. He is clever to a painful degree, for 
I sometimes fear his precocity may lead to bad results. 
He speaks four languages, as a child, of course, but pretty 
well, and he reads three of them with care. When his age 
is considered, his manner of using the languages is surpris- 
ing. When at Dresden last summer, and when only six, 
he was looking at some prints in a shop window, attended 
by a German nurse with whom he spoke German. An 
English gentleman was attracted by his remarks, and 
began to question him. Their discourse was in English, 
the language he speaks least fluently; he was so delighted 
with his own performance as to recount the whole aifair, 
on his return. "But who is this person*?" his mother 
asked — "was it a gentleman*?" "Mais, peutetre, Ma- 
ma?! — il en avail V air — ma non e Vabito che fa il mo- 
naco,'' giving, as you see, an Italian proverb by way of 
expressing his doubts. The proverb means, "it is not the 
cowl that makes the monk." 

I have hired a house for a year, which I have just 
furnished, and we intend, for the reasons I have named, 
to remain that time at Paris. Your aunt has invited her 
sisters, the Miss de Lanceys, to join us, so that you see 
we shall assemble in some form if they come. We have a 
plan of spending the hot weather on the coast of Nor- 
mandy, and I am just now projecting a short tour into 



iSsO JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 231 

England and Scotland, with Mr. Rives, our Minister, 
whose health requires some relaxation from very inde- 
fatigable attention to his public duties. No man can be 
more devoted to the objects of his mission, though I see 
some one has been writing against him from this country. 
You are now of an age to know that an article of this 
kind, which bears on its face evidence of personal malice, 
is worthy of no respect. 

Mrs. Pomeroy tells me that you are engaged to be mar- 
ried, but she does not say to whom ! William got a letter 
from his mother, acquainting him with the marriage of 
his sister, without descending to this trifling sort of detail, 
too; though the individual wedded or to be wedded is 
after all the most essential part of such intelligence. We 
come to marriage almost as infallibly as we come to our 
graves, but the who and the when are interesting points in 
the former; as the last is in death. 

You will oblige me by telling your aunt that I had no 
need of the counterbalancing attacks of Mrs. Heli, as I 
know nothing of the eulogisms of which she speaks. Re- 
views give me little concern, whether favorable or the 
reverse. What I have written is written, as the Turks say, 
and it cannot be helped. Neither do I know any thing of 
her, Mrs. Heli, who is a lady beyond my knowledge. The 
critiques of those around me are not often read, and as I 
do not know where to find Mrs. Heli, I must go without 
the corrective. Is she a poet"? — I have been told that cer- 
tain poets in America have never forgiven my having 
omitted their names in an enumeration of the Am. Poets 
I had occasion to make a few years since, and that they 
feed on my literary carcass whenever it falls in their way. 
This you see, my dear boy, is the penalty of wielding the 
quill. I remember, at the commencement of the last war, 



232 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1831 

to have made a visit of ceremony to General Bloomfield, 
an old friend both of your Father and your Grandfather, 
and for a long time Gov. of New Jersey. This gentleman 
had been appointed to command in New York at that 
serious moment. Mr. Luther Bradish of Franklin County 
went with me, and we were kept waiting in an ante- 
chamber some time. The good old man pleaded his en- 
gagements as an excuse — he had been assorting visiting 
cards, and, as he pathetically added, "it was a penalty 
that men in his situation were obliged to pay for their 
plumes." I have not the honor of commanding the port 
of New York in a war, but it would seem I have the 
honor of attracting the notice of Mrs. Heli. 

Your aunt Pomeroy is afraid we shall become too 
Europeanized for home. She knows little of our tastes 
or wishes. There are people who come here, who see us 
in the possession of advantages that certainly do not fall 
to all our countrymen; and as most Americans have an 
exaggerated idea of Europe and especially of England, 
they fancy we cannot tear ourselves from a society they 
imagine so agreeable. Now my longing is for a wilder- 
ness — Cooperstown is far too populous and artificial for 
me, and it is my intention to plunge somewhere into the 
forest, for six months in the year, at my return. I will not 
quit my own state, but shall seek some unsettled part of 
that. 

I wish you to write me a letter explanatory. I have a 
right to know the name of the lady in Hudson. I wish to 
know who was so gallant as to accompany Miss Cooper 
a thousand miles; your opinion of all your new con- 
nexions by these marriages, and in short such a communi- 
cation as the future head of a family ought to make to the 
incumbent of the office. I bring up the rear of a large 



1830 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 233 

family, but I am getting on in life. I shall be forty-two in 
a few months, an age which, if it be not venerable, is 
respectable. The difference between us, Dick, is not much 
greater than it was between your father and me — I never 
properly belonged to his generation, nor will you ever 
properly belong to mine. We must endeavor to meet 
half-way. 

I wish you to tell Mr. Smith that I retain a friendly 
recollection of him. For Campbell I have a sincere re- 
spect. I would be mentioned also to the Phinneys, who 
were my old school fellows; to Dr. Russell; to Dr. Ful- 
ler — to Mrs. Griffin; and to Mrs. Starr and her husband; 
to Mrs. Phinney, who has endured more noise of my 
making than any other woman; to old Deacon Loomis if 
he be living; to the Davidsons, and to the Clarkes. To 
Peter Mayher of Cherry Valley, and to Judge White. I 
would by no means forget Mr. Nash. To Prentiss, to 
whom I will shortly write a notice on Europe for publica- 
tion, making his first Paris correspondent. To Morrell, to 
Seth Cook and Crafts. To Joe Holt, who is a monument 
of the settlement of Cooperstown. To Oliver Cory, 
who taught me to read. 

Quitting these, you will make my respects, in a suitable 
manner, to Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Bowers, to Mrs. Met- 
calfe, Mrs. Russell and Miss Nancy — Is she alive ^ You 
will of course include all our family connexion, not for- 
getting the Morrises. 

I know nothing of you young generation, for it is now 
near fourteen years since I saw Cooperstown. There was 
an old man of the name of Burrill who used to sell cakes. 
Is he living*? If so, tell him I wish him a comfortable 
old age. 

You will be glad to hear that I am in excellent health, 



234 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

looking, as they tell me, like a man of five and thirty. I 
am much fatter than when I left home. A long journey 
from Rome, through the Tyrol into Germany and 
through Prussia to Paris last Summer, has quite restored 
my digestion, since when I have done as well as I could 
wish. Your aunt is also in perfect health. Your cousins 
grow and are looking well. Indeed we have all been well 
but Will, for a long time. I have not paid the Doctors 
fifty dollars in five years. 

Adieu, my dear Dick. Do not forget to write me, with 
a full detail of answer. 

Yours very sincerely 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

FROM RICHARD COOPER 

Cooperstown, August 2nd, 1831 
Dear Uncle, 

I feel greatly indebted to Aunt Pomeroy for the man- 
ner she has spoken of me in her letters, as it has been the 
means of giving me a place in your recollection and of my 
receiving a token of your regard. Time has wrought con- 
siderable changes in our village since you left it. My 
memory does not reach back sufficiently far to note them 
all. I am unable to point out every chasm that death has 
made in the living circle with which you were acquainted. 
Some that you desired to be remembered to I never heard 
of, and some are in their graves. Mr. Ernst died last 
winter, Seth Cook several years ago. I am more familiar 
with the alterations in the external aspect of the place. A 
good many buildings which, within my recollection, have 
rather discredited the taste and neatness of the place, now 
shine with a bright and fresh coat of paint, additions have 
been made to a few, and some entirely new of very 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 235 

respectable appearance have been erected. Among these 
last is a bank which was chartered last winter. You are 
undoubtedly acquainted with the policy of our rulers with 
respect to the fiscal concerns of the State, Every little vil- 
lage that can boast of its bar room and its store seeks to 
elevate itself from obscurity into commercial importance 
by the establishment of a bank, and it is hard to tell 
whether the importunity of the people in asking, or the 
liberality of the legislature in granting, is the greater. Our 
bank, however, is supposed to be warranted by the advan- 
tages of its locality. There have been other changes of a 
less pleasing nature, and which indicate decay as those I 
have stated shew prosperity. The old mansion still stands, 
but in a dilapidated state, a sad monument of the fallen 
fortunes of the family. The spirit of improvement has 
for some time meditated its utter destruction. Several 
years ago a project was started of pulling it down and 
laying out a road over its site, but as the villagers are not 
distinguished for their diligence in the prosecution of such 
plans, there is a prospect that the venerable structure will 
crumble away brick by brick until it becomes a heap of 
ruins. The bank stands upon part of the grounds ; the rest 
is used as a play ground for boys. Uncle Isaac's dwelling 
is at present unoccupied. A few years ago it was con- 
verted into a seminary for young ladies and has been used 
for that purpose until a few months back. The practical 
energy of those who had charge of its interests was not 
equal to their speculative enterprise. The institution fell 
to the ground for want of vigorous and disinterested sup- 
port. The building, though at present in tolerable order, 
promises before long to meet with the fate of the old man- 
sion, unless it fall into more careful hands. Apple Hill 
has passed into the possession of a Stranger, and on your 



236 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

place the stone building has been torn down and a white 
frame house put up which is now the residence of a Mr. 
Nelson, one of our Supreme Court judges. I am not inti- 
mately acquainted with any of my new relations, and 
have not seen much of their characters developed. Eliza 
married a Mr. Vicat, a French gentleman whom I never 
saw but once. He is the brother of a silk merchant in 
New York in easy circumstances, but as far as I can 
learn poor himself. He was in Cooperstown before his 
marriage, when I heard reports about him of an unfavor- 
able character. Since then I have been told by several, 
and Aunt Pomeroy among the number, who has seen him 
pretty often, that his conversation and manners are those 
of a gentleman, and his conduct during his residence in 
the city of New York unexceptionable. Georgian and 
Hannah with their husbands are now in the village. Mr. 
Woolson seems to be a man of a warm heart, good prin- 
ciples, and considerable intelligence. He is unfortunately 
very deaf, which incapacitates him from those pursuits, 
by which the majority of our young men rise to commerce 
and competency. His present occupation is that of editor 
of one of the Boston papers. Mr. Keese is a druggist of 
quite extensive business in the city of New York ; a mem- 
ber of the church and to all appearance sincerely pious, a 
good husband and father, and somewhat devoted to the 
Muses. He writes occasionally for the city papers, and 
though his fame may not have reached Europe, his pro- 
ductions are above the common order of newspaper 
poetry. Elizabeth married a Mr. Beale from the South. 
He is a lawyer and living with his wife at Green Bay. 
I should think him enterprising, of honorable feelings, 
firmness of purpose, and more than ordinarily talented. 
My engagement has ripened into a marriage ; the wedding 



iSsO JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 237 

was on the 25th of May last, the day before the date of 
your letter. The lady was a Miss Storrs of Hudson. Per- 
haps you may think I am rather young to enter into so 
serious a connexion. Circumstances connected with the 
parties must necessarily influence our judgement of the 
propriety of such a step. Possibly I have done wrong. I 
have myself no fears of the result. 

It gives me great pleasure to learn that your own 
health, and that of my Aunt and Cousins, is so good. 
However little disease may in truth have visited your 
family, popular rumor has once or twice brought you to 
the verge of the grave, and the public prints have as often 
begun to sing a requiem over their "distinguished country- 
man." Severity of criticism I find is not the only "penalty 
of wielding the quill." Authors are objects of notice to 
others than judges of their literary merits. A prying and 
excited curiosity is actively at work around them, which 
distorts what exists and creates what has no existence. 
Rumor is seldom silent; celebrity is her favorite theme; 
and with her "hundred tongues" she propagates a hun- 
dred stories. She digs graves with a sexton-like dexterity, 
and heaps the clod on men who are enjoying healthful 
and vigorous life. To "die and be alive again" ceases to 
be a marvel, and with her becomes an every-day occur- 
rence. 

The name of the gentleman who accompanied Miss 
Mary Cooper a thousand miles is Hoyt. He started with 
the avowed purpose of going no farther than Utica, but 
from some cause or other he continued on to Green Bay. 
It is believed by some that they are to be married. 

I should suppose, from the determination you express 
to plunge into a wilderness upon your return, that your 
opinion of mankind has not improved by a more extended 



238 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

observation of them. I have heard of the corruptions of 
Europe, and the total departure from natural sentiment 
and moral rectitude which characterizes the great body of 
refined society in that quarter of the world, and I could 
almost persuade myself that a daily association with 
human nature in this impure condition had a little ob- 
scured the remembrance of what it is in your native land, 
and that your foreign misanthropy will be dissipated 
when your observation of American character is renewed. 
At least it seems to me that there is much to love and 
value in society here. There is a good deal that is false 
and artificial ; but this does not pervade the whole. A part 
consider the law that is written on their hearts of higher 
obligation than the observances of custom; and certainly 
our morals have not yet fallen a prey either to distem- 
pered sentiment or wild opinions. 

My business at present amounts to little or nothing. 
I opened my office last Fall; and from that time to this 
I have had almost uninterrupted leisure to exercise my- 
self in threading the mazes of the law and contemplating 
its "glorious uncertainties." I certainly should like it 
better if I could mix a little active exertion with this 
speculative enjoyment. But I see no immediate prospect 
of having my wishes realized. Professional business in 
this country is in a very depressed state, and unless my 
further pastime meets with some reward, I fear there will 
be a necessity of my changing the theatre of my efforts. 
I certainly shall not do this unless ragged poverty threat- 
ens to stare me in the face if I remain, for I had much 
rather try my fortune here than elsewhere. As every nook 
and corner in this state has its quota of attornies, nay, is 
filled to overflowing, if I leave this place I shall go to 
the "far West." I fear I shall not be able to act upon 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 239 

your recommendation of meeting my namesake in Con- 
gress. The pursuit of a political life is an utter abandon- 
ment of all professional advantages; and as time must 
necessarily elapse before I could attain the desired eleva- 
tion, there is great danger that the salary of my office 
would have to be used for filling up the gaunt forms of a 
starving family. In addition to this I have no great relish 
for politics as they are now. In these days one cannot be 
a thoroughgoing politician, and such he must be to obtain 
promotion, without bidding farewell to his honesty and 
his intellectual freedom. Our parties are not organized 
upon just principles, and do not pursue proper objects. 
Unlimited obedience is required, your scruples are 
laughed at, and your honest doubts stigmatized as folly. 
To dare to think for yourself is to incur the penalties of 
heresy, and though the stake and faggot are not allowed 
at the present day as corrections of contumacy, yet the 
offended sovereignty of party does all it can by condemn- 
ing you to the retirement of private life. And then too the 
contest is for office, emoluments, the mere tinsel and not 
the substance and virtue of high station. An unreserved 
connection with any party removes from the view the 
great and laudable objects of ambition, or at least 
weakens the love of them and renders the heart indifferent 
to principles which ought to command its respect. The 
people themselves are not corrupt. Dishonesty or little- 
ness of purpose is principally confined to those who set up 
for their leaders. These men find the prosecution of their 
schemes facilitated by the character of the times. There 
is no great national question to which public attention is 
generally directed. There is nothing to test severely the 
merits of the candidates for popular favor, and to touch 
the best springs of action in the breasts of the people. 



240 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

They are at present governed rather by old predilections 
and individual attachments than by considerations con- 
nected with existing national interests. This state of 
things cannot, I think, continue long. Public opinion 
begins to rally its force around matters of general con- 
cern, and then when the struggle has for its object the 
ascendancy of truth, and the only bond of union is devo- 
tion to a noble end, a man may become a partisan without 
ceasing to be a friend to his country. I offer you my 
sincere congratulations on the remarkable promise of 
Paul, and hope that you may live to see the fulfillment 
of all you wish concerning him. Be so good as to remem- 
ber me affectionately to my Aunt and Cousins. If it could 
be done without interfering with your more important 
avocations, I should be highly gratified to hear from you 
again. 

Yours with affection, 

R. Cooper. 

FROM WILLIAM DUNLAP 

Burlington, Vt., Sept. 2oth, 1831 
Dear James: 

I received your letter of the thirteenth of June last 
just before leaving home. We are all very glad to have 
such a pleasing proof of your friendship and I was the 
more gratified when I found that it was not in answer 
to one I addressed to you some time back but a sponta- 
neous effusion of pure good-will such as I feel for you 
and wish you ever to feel for me. 

Both your letter and your Yankee notions are just such 
as I should expect from my merry writer and critic of for- 
mer times. The notion expressed of General Jackson is I 



iSsO JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 241 

fear too favourable. He has proved weaker than could 
have been anticipated; yet those who hold under him will 
hold to him and strive to hold him up. Your La Fayette is 
mine; and your Washington excellent, but I expected 
something more after the passage beginning "Some" 
(p. 190), and p. 195, "They who believe, etc." Euro- 
peans mistake us in nothing more than in attributing too 
much of our freedom and prosperity to that great and 
good man. Their writers have generally supposed that he 
could have put a crown upon his head and give him 
credit for forbearance. He knew better. He knew his 
countrymen. Your comparison of Washington with Bona- 
parte is excellent. If you have not read Dr. Channing on 
the character of Napoleon (written long after your 
notions) read it as soon as you can get it. 

Now to answer your enquiries respecting myself. I 
very much fear that I am five years older than when you 
left us, and the grenadier erectness you speak of is yield- 
ing fast to the bow, the ungraceful bow of the old gentle- 
man, very much the reverse of the beau ideal. Old 
Rogers — bye the bye, I am very much flattered that he is 
so intimately associated with me in your reminiscences — 
he — old Rogers — is, I think, as young as ever and as 
wise. 

When you left me I was painting my Calvary; I hope 
you will soon see it, and acknowledge its superiority to 
the Transfiguration or any other of the great works you 
enumerate. I am gratified that you have not forgotten the 
old lady's testimony as to the likeness of St. Peter, as 
the truth of the portraiture adds much to the value of 
works of this kind. I believe the Calvary is very much 
my best picture, but I have been obliged to paint the 
portraits of mere every-day folk of the present unholy 



242 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

race; for my saints, though marvellously well painted, 
work no miracles, and could not keep my family from 
starvation. For two summers in succession I have visited 
Vermont and carried home bank notes enough to greet 
my Landlord and other hungry personages for the winters 
that followed. Last winter I painted a great picture, on 
the subject of the three days of battle in Paris, — but it 
has not bettered my condition as yet. If I could have 
painted my picture in three days after the news of the 
revolution arrived, it might have attracted public atten- 
tion, but in three months it was an old story and not old 
enough to be new again. 

I have not seen your cherubs — at least no European 
Cherubs belonging to you. Greenough's boys were, when 
last I heard of them, boxed up and at your friend P. 
Jay's. When I have seen them you shall have my opinion 
of them. 

The National Academy of Design have received two 
very fine specimens of Thorwaldsen's genius, his Venus 
and Mercury. They have more of the Antique and of 
course more of nature as well as excellence than any 
modern work of sculpture that I have seen. Many times 
I have stood before Canova's Venus, Graces, Boxers, and 
Hebe and questioned myself for the reason that modem 
sculptors could not, with the aid of the ancients, approach 
their excellence. Thorwaldsen has done it. 

In respect to the Fine Arts you have shewn great good 
sense, first, in not writing to me on the subject of 
"Raphael's Correggios and stuff" and in determining to 
sit to me for your portrait. I had seen the one in the 
monthly, and but for the lettering should not have 
thought of my young friend. I sincerely rejoice that you 
are as young and full of fun as you ever were, and long to 



i830 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 243 

see you home and hear you find fault with my work every 
day as you used to do. 

The Bravo has not yet reached us. If you liked rny 
address to the Students, as I am willing to believe, I 
shall think the better of it. My notions respecting Aris- 
tocracy have long been fixed. We will lift up our voices 
against the Humbugs who have kept this goodly world 
in a turmoil since the time of Nimrod and ages before. 
Every effort in the good cause produces some good. A 
truism, but some truisms cannot be too often repeated. 
The eifect of an effort may not be perceived at the 
moment, but it must be felt. 

I have received your address in favour of Poland. 
Heaven help the brave fellows I I can only pray for them. 
Your effort is not without its effect in this country. Events 
pass so rapidly that we have hardly time to speculate 
upon them. Even now perhaps the Poles are triumphant 
or Warsaw in ruins, and God knows but ere this Louis 
Philip is no longer a king. Our last news is the change in 
the french ministry. 

This is the third visit I have made to Vermont. In '29 
I was invited to Brandon — an Itinerant by special invi- 
tation — with the appearance of employment. I went in 
Sept. and returned home in October. In '30 in the same 
manner visited Castleton, Rutland and Orwell, passing 
from June to October in painting portraits, except that 
in the last place I had a severe fit of sickness. This Sept. 
I have ventured to Burlington on a more indefinite invi- 
tation and fear that I shall be disappointed of profit. I 
hope to be home in two weeks. Having been sick in July 
last and confined to Leonard Street all summer, the jour- 
ney is pleasant and I hope profitable to my health. 
Having thus given some account of myself, you will per- 



244 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1831 

ceive that I am the same active, industrious, poor, free- 
nigger you left me, only older and of course more worth- 
less. 

By my former letter you see that I have a project of a 
periodical work. I think of publishing the first number 
on the first of January next. I shall be guided in my final 
determination by the number of subscribers obtained. If 
you think of any thing that may aid me, communicate. 
If you can do anything for me, I know you will do it. 
I see to-day that the Editor of the Courrier and Enquirer 
has denounced me as not being qualified for executing 
so very difficult a work in the best style. He may be right. 
But I do not know of any one better qualified who is will- 
ing to undertake it; and such a work is lamentably 
wanted. I have written a letter to M. M. Noah which 
he perhaps may publish. 

You shall have as many of my pictures for your in- 
tended tour in the Mediterranean as you think fit; but it 
seems like carrying Coal to Newcastle. I fear they would 
prove too light for ballast and too unvaluable to help 
"pay charges." 

Adieu. Remember me to Mrs. Cooper, whose good 
opinion I am anxious to obtain, or preserve, and of whose 
health I wish to hear. The young folks, except the oldest, 
will hardly remember me, unless it is as the old gentle- 
man who walked up to Hellgate to dine with you. I hope 
to see them the sources of a large portion of your happi- 
ness and that of their Mother. My family cannot join in 
this assurance of good wishes — but I can answer for them. 
John's diplomatic scheme had escaped my memory, but 
he remembered the circumstance. Once more Adieu. 

Yours ever faithfully 

W. Dunlap 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 245 

P.S. Plattsburg Oct. 1st. 

No opportunity of franking this to New York having 
offered until now, it has accompanied me to Plattsburg, 
and Plattsburg reminds me of McDonough and sea 
fights and naval victories and bids me ask, when is 
J. F. C's History of the Navy of his country to appear? 
How much is done? — or is it left until we have made the 
tour of the Mediterranean? If ever man was qualified 
above all others for such a task, it is you. 

I got nothing to do at Burlington, Vt., but I am em- 
ployed in painting the portraits of sinners, at the same 
time showing some of my saints. 

Once more Adieu. 

WD 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq., Paris 

William Dunlap was born at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in 
1766 and began painting at seventeen. His first work was a por- 
trait of Washington. In 1834 he published his History of the 
Arts of Design in the United States. He died in New York in 
1839. 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Paris gbc"^ 9*^ 1831. 
My dear Sir, 

Permit me to enclose and to recommend particularly 
to you an article of the Revue Britannique., a preliminary 
discussion of the french Budjet, asserting that the ameri- 
can Government is more expensive than that of France. 
It is of course within my attributions to answer those cal- 
culations, and I must require friendly assistance. In open- 
ing the book I found an account of the fine Maison de 
Campagne of the President, which I have not had an 
opportunity to visit. — you did not know that you pay 



246 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

more taxes in the state of new york than are exacted from 
the french citizen. — yet, on their part, I find it is pre- 
sented speciously enough. 

Be pleased therefore to favor me with your critical 
observations. 

Most truly and affectionately 
your friend 

Lafayette 
A Monsieur F. Cooper 

a Paris « 

TO R. R. HUNTER, COWES 

Rue St. Dominique 59, Nov. 9, 1831. 
Dear Hunter, 

We have been expecting to see you here for some time, 
or I should have written you before. Beginning to think 
you are lost in a fog, I write in despair. 

The measles prevented me from quitting home until 
the first of September, and as Mrs. Cooper wanted 
change of air, after the long attendance on the children, 
I changed the route to the Rhine. We went by Rouen, 
Dieppe, Abbeville, Arras, Tourcoing and to Brussells. 
Thence by Liege, Aix-la-Chapelle to Cologne and up the 
river (by land) to Mayence. Thence to Francfort, 
Darmstadt, Heidelberg, Mannheim, Turkheim, Kaiser- 
lautern to Forbach in France, where they ordered us into 
a cage for five days. Not liking confinement, being a free 
man, I reentered Germany and skirted France by Treves 
and Luxembourg and got in at Longwy, reaching Paris 
precisely on the fifth day; when, according to quarantine 
regulations, we should have just been quitting the cage. 
This is nearly two months since, and happily there is yet 
no cholera here. 



183O JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 247 

Poor William died three days after our return. He 
exposed himself last year at Dredor, taking a severe cold 
which settled on his lungs. He was examined on his 
arrival here in September, and pronounced to be still 
sound, but in danger from inflammation. During the 
Winter he got much better, so much better that I think 
he would have recovered had he followed the prescrip- 
tions of the physician. But this he did not do, exposed 
himself afresh, and died of a broken abscess. He has left 
a blank among us and his death has thrown a melancholy 
thrall over all our European recollections. He was two 
and twenty at his death. 

I do not know whether you have obtained what you 
desired of the French Government or not, or whether 
indeed any Consul General has yet been appointed. Our 
journey, and since then the death of William, has pre- 
vented me from inquiring into this affair for you, though 
I requested Barnet to let you know as soon as the ap- 
pointment was made. If you have not heard from him, I 
am inclined to think nothing has been done. 

We have little new here, just now. For the moment all 
is tranquil, though things cannot remain as they are. The 
mass of the nation must be let into a share of the govern- 
ment, or it must be kept down by the strong hand. Under 
the present regime, it is neither one nor the other. Juries 
acquit daily, and the chambers endeavor to defraud the 
people of their rights. Here is an opposition of a kind that 
cannot go on quietly for any long period. Either the 
government must find means to punish or the people will 
find means to rule. There has been a desperate effort to 
set up an aristocracy, wJiich has only succeeded in part, 
but half-way means will not do in the present state of 
France, and Despotism or Liberty must prevail. Adieu — 



248 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

Remember me to Madam Letitia and the ladies. You 
have no doubt heard of poor Thorn's sad business. 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 
Mr. Hunter was the American Consul at Cowes. 

TO CAROLINE DE LANCEY 

Paris, December 3d, 1831 
My dear Caroline, 

As I know this letter will be, in one respect, the bearer 
of bad news, I caution you to summon your courage, and 
to show that you are, what I know you to be, a woman 
of resolution. Not to frighten you unnecessarily, I will 
tell you at once, we do not come home this year, if we do 
the next. I am making money so fast, just now, and it is 
so important for me to be on the spot, that I should be 
culpable to the last degree, to let the opportunity of 
providing for the girls go by. In addition to this motive, 
which you will agree with me in thinking all sufficient, 
the girls would be losers in their education, and I am 
much afraid that I might return alone to visit parts of 
Europe that we have not yet seen, were we to return next 
summer. The cholera morbus had almost decided us to 
cross the ocean, but the nearer approach of the disease, 
and the almost certainty with which it can be avoided, 
has entirely changed the resolution. Even Sue (daugh- 
ter), the greatest coward among us, has regained her 
heart, and is no longer afraid. At the most we shall be 
driven from Paris for two or three months, though it is 
less certain that we shall have the disease here at all. 
Now for you and Martha. 

I was grieved to hear the reason you gave for not 
coming last year. Are you not wrong in not selling some 
of vour real estate*? What is done with the Saxon and the 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 249 

Angevine farm ? The proceeds of the two ought to render 
you comfortable. — But no matter, I can remove this 
difficulty, and in a manner that Susan thinks you ought 
to accept. 

Since the death of poor William, or indeed since the 
commencement of his long malady, I have had no regular 
copyist. The two Susans were obliged to copy most of 
Bravo for me, and with The Heidenmauer, I am obliged 
to blunder on as well as I can. A copyist ought to be in 
the family, and, in Europe, it is necessary that he should 
be a strictly confidential person. You write a very pretty 
plain hand, which will improve with practise, and if you 
will consent to copy my manuscripts, you shall have the 
money I must pay to some one. It shall be two hundred 
dollars a year, if you will, and this will amply dress you. 
To this I will add the expense of your passage across the 
ocean, and you shall return with us, as a matter of course. 
I say nothing of Martha, who is able to dress herself, and 
who does not write well enough for my work. But she 
can make herself very useful in so large a family of girls, 
especially as the latter are all intently occupied with their 
education. You know, my dear girl, that I only mention 
these things to remove your scruples, though, as respects 
yourself, I shall have to give the money to some one else 
if you refuse it. You need not hesitate, for I tell you in 
confidence that I have the prospect of receiving this year 
near or quite twenty thousand dollars. 

Think well, dear Caroline, of this proposal, and dis- 
card any foolish idea of pride on the subject. It is always 
honorable to earn a livelihood, and what I offer is the 
least possible disagreeable office. No one can, or ought, 
to know it (out of the family), but if they should it 
would be no great matter. Perhaps you may catch the 



250 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1831 

vein by imitating, and set up for yourself at last. A thou- 
sand or two dollars added to your limited income would 
be a very pretty auxiliary. 

Do not show my letter, except to Martha. She is 
warmly invited as an idler, though if she has scruples we 
will set her at work, too, in some way or other. It is my 
intention to visit Spain and Portugal, and to revisit 
Italy, Switzerland and Germany. You will be our fellow 
traveller, and, God willing, we will all return to Amer- 
ica two or three years hence, when I shall have made a 
comfortable independence. You shall see hoary moun- 
tains, Gothic churches, picturesque peasants and quaint 
castles in plenty. 

I would not advise you to come before Februa'ry, 
though I think you had better come in February than in 
March. Whatever may be your decision, write on the 
packet preceding that in which you intend to sail. All this 
sounds formidable to you, though to us the voyage would 
be a trifle, except as we do not all like the sea. On no 
account go to England, as the expense is fearful. From 
Havre to Paris is no more than from New York to 
Philadelphia, and I would meet you there. I see no abso- 
lute necessity of your having an escort, if you are in a 
well commanded ship. The quality of the passengers may 
be of some consequence, but you and Martha being to- 
gether in the same state-room will remove many embar- 
rassments. In Europe it is not at all unusual, or in the 
least out of place, for ladies of your age to go everywhere 
without an escort, and it is for them to go with a male one 
as respects appearances. What is done in America would 
create observation here provided one was known, and 
what would excite remark in America is done in Europe 
every day. But all you will have to do, is to go properly 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 251 

recommended on board a packet, and what between 
cascading and sleeping the affair is soon over. 

We have just got a letter from Mrs. Baker, who ex- 
tols her own happiness, and tells us among other pleasant 
things that you look as young as ever. This is encouraging, 
for I have an old friend of ninety three in my eye for 
Martha. You are a little too venerable for such a 
youth. — As for Mr. McAdam, they call him, in Eng- 
land, the colossus of Roads, but he is rather the Colossus 
of Husbands. But after you have been in Europe a year 
or two, you will begin to relish antiquity, whether it be 
a husband or a cathedral. 

Give my love to Martha, 

and believe me, dear Caroline, 
very sincerely yours 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

I had almost forgotten to say, that if you should want 
ready money to come, Mr. Wilkes or Mr. Jay will fur- 
nish it to your draft on me, by showing either this post- 
script. 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

FROM CHARLES WILKES 

New York, 9*^ Dec, 1831 
My dear Sir — 

You must have had a very agreeable tour with M" 
Cooper — I went over part of the ground in 1823. I was 
very much pleased with the scenery on the Rhine — not so 
much with the river itself, which is much inferior to our 
Hudson, but from the associations which, every instant, 
carried one back as well to the events of olden time, as to 
those of modern warfare. I was upon the whole most 



252 CORRESPONDENCE OF [iSsi 

struck with Heidelberg and the magnificence of its 
ruined castle. How much has been done in Europe, even 
in the despotic states, for the comfort and convenience of 
the mass of the population — I mean particularly in the 
abundance of public fountains, and the variety and 
beauty very often of public gardens. In Switzerland 
every town abounds with proofs of an attention to the 
comfort of the lower orders and no where more than in 
aristocratic Berne. How little has been yet done for the 
same object in America. — It is not difficult to perceive 
the reasons of the difference, yet I always felt a sort of 
humiliation whenever I saw it. Our latest accounts of 
Europe show everything unsettled there. The loss of the 
Reform bill will agitate England to the center. I hope 
the Whigs will be able to restrain their friends the mob — 
any violence which shall cause the shedding of blood can- 
not fail, I should think, to strengthen their adversaries. 
The necessity of employing soldiers would alienate their 
radical friends, while it would alarm the timid of their 
own men of property. I think the bill, with very little 
diminution, if any, of its efficiency, must pass at last. I 
have no fear of the consequences — I firmly believe the 
aristocracy of England, including in that term the landed 
interest of the gentry, will be quite able to set bounds to 
the Revolution, and to maintain their own fair share of 
power. France seems very far from secure in her revolu- 
tion — but what she is to come to is a very difficult ques- 
tion. — I was astonished at your saying "you thought a 
restoration highly probable" — I had not the least idea the 
Carlists could be so strong as to give the least chance of 
such an event. I was always inclined to the opinion that 
the wisest course, at the beginning, was to have left the 
crown to the young duke of Bordeaux, making the Duke 



1831] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 253 

of Orleans regent — whether it was practicable I do not 
know, but it would have conciliated the friends of legiti- 
macy and would have given full time, during the minor- 
ity, to have settled popular rights so firmly as to give the 
best hopes of their being permanent. One privilege after 
another might have been contended for and obtained. 
The very struggle would have made the value fully esti- 
mated by the people. Whether the Duke of Orleans 
would have been a fit man for such a purpose, I do not 
know and am inclined to think he was not. People in 
general were very glad to hear that M^ Rives had settled 
our discussions with France — the terms were fully as 
good, I think, as was to be expected — but opinions vary 
very much as to whether it gives as much as will be 
claimed — I am persuaded it will make but a very mod- 
erate dividend, unless there is a very firm and intelligent 
board appointed. Congress being now assembled, the 
treaty will immediately be laid before them — as yet the 
terms are only known by the articles mentioned in the 
newspapers. 

George is going on steadily but very slowly in his pro- 
fession — he has a great deal to do, but it is almost en- 
tirely with poor patients, who cannot pay — but he gains 
experience. He is told by every body that he cannot ex- 
pect much practice until he marries — but he has not yet 
made up his mind, altho' he seems convinced that it is 
true. Whether he overvalues his freedom or requires too 
many things to determine his choice, I cannot say. 

We have been lately so very much engaged with busi- 
ness at the Bank and the distress for money makes so 
many appeals from individuals, that I have been hurried 
to death — and I have not yet had time to read The 
Bravo — but it seems to be very universally well spoken 



254 CORRESPONDENCE OF D832 

of by all I have heard mention it and is likely to be a 
favorite. My kindest remembrances to M""^ Cooper. 
I am always, my dear Sir, very sincerely 

Y^" friend 

Chas Wilkes 

FROM LADY RUSSELL 

Woburn Abbey, J any. 4, 1832 
Dear Mr. Cooper 

I hope this letter will be more fortunate than the one 
I wrote two years ago from Geneva — ^This is to announce 
to you my intention of giving a letter of introduction to 
an Hungarian Gentleman who is dying to know you — 
pray tell me by return of post that I have not incurred 
your displeasure — but this person is really worthy of 
being introduced to you, he is full of generous sentiments 
and love of liberty, though an Austrian Subject, and so 
smitten with your writings that I could not forego the 
vanity of boasting of my acquaintance with you — this 
Gentleman leaves England in a fortnight and will not be 
more than a week at Paris for the present, but he wishes 
to secure a sight of you — 

My next letter will be a mere note of introduction. I 
am writing in great haste to save the Courrier. 

With best compliments to Mrs. Cooper I remain your 
most sincerely 

obliged friend 

Elizabeth Anne 
Russell 

Hastings' warmest regards to you and hopes you do not 
quite forget your rides by the Tiber. I heard with regret 
from my mother of your poor Nephew's sudden death — 
let me know that you have received this and send your 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 255 

letter to my mother rue Fbg. St. Honore next door to 55 
C^^ de Bourke's House. Though a few days late accept 
my best wishes for the new year. 
Monsieur Fenimore Cooper, Paris 

Lady William Russell was the wife of Lord Russell, who was 
an aide-de-camp of Wellington at Waterloo. Her son Hastings 
was afterwards Duke of Bedford. 



FROM E. MARLAY 

Wednesday [probably January or February, 1832] 
Dear Mr. Cooper 

It has been suggested to me that you might again lend 
a helping hand to the Poles, were you to ask Mr. Moss 
[Morse?] to contribute any sketches, or drawings which 
he would make, or spare, as prizes in the lottery, set on 
foot at this moment, by the friends of these poor refugees. 
Many of the French artists, with Gerard at their head, 
are doing so, giving paintings, more or less finished, as 
they can afford time, — and I, who am commissioned to 
sell tickets and have chiefly to deal with those who care 
little for Poles, or paupers of any kind here^ know how 
valuable anything from the pencil of an artist is as an 
inducement to such persons to try their luck. 

Will you try your's on my list if you are not engaged 
to any other? The tickets are fifty sous each. I am an 
Employee of M^^^ de Grarz's. The lottery is to be drawn 
at the end of the month; but I suppose you know all 
about it. 

I wish I could also persuade you, and Miss Cooper, 
to go to the concert of which I enclose you a Programme 
(begging to have it again tomorrow, as it is the only one). 
Mons'' Chopin is one of the most delightful performers I 



256 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

ever heard both as to music and execution, and Mendels- 
sohn one of the most wonderful, besides being descended 
from the Philosopher of that name, an Amateur only, 
and as well as I remember him separately from his 
sounds, a pretty sort of little gentleman to boot. I sell 
tickets for these worthies also — and covet your custom — 
and we might go together in the two franc stalls. The 
grande Polonaise will be worth hearing, as a matter of 
curiosity, at all events. Mr. Chopin says it is superb. 

I beg pardon for this hasty scratch, penned upon the 
uncertain surface of my pillow, in order to be in time for 
Yr servant. And I beg you will believe 

Very truly Yrs 

E. Marlay 

My best remembrance attends Mrs. Cooper. I am very 
glad to receive a continued good account of her. 

Elizabeth Marlay was of an ancient Anglo-Irish family. She 
was the granddaughter of the Rev. George Marlay, Bishop of 
Dromore. By the marriage of a cousin she was connected with the 
Ponsonbys, Earls of Bessborough. She died unmarried in 1848. 



FROM E. MARLAY 

Sunday night [probably January or February, 1832] 

Dear Mr. Cooper 

I am uneasy under the imputations cast upon me by 
your little note, and as I want to ask you how many 
tickets you will have in the Polish lottery, I shall take 
the opportunity to clear myself, as well as I can, at least 
from that of heedlessness of the seventh day. 

As to early rising, it is perhaps much the same where 
the idle spend their time — still I am Jiot very late. I 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 257 

breakfast at half past nine, having been called an hour 
before, — but tho' my head usually parts with its pillow 
at this hour, I own it much more indulgent to its night 
cap, which is very apt to preside over my morning em- 
ployments. 

I was suffering from head ache the day I wrote to you, 
and preparing for Court by a second nap. I believe, to 
say true, that my Creed is too simple to belong to any 
established church either, but I am very Catholic in my 
thoughts of Sunday, as to its practise, tho' I am not sure 
how far the Pope and I agree in our reasons, for dancing, 
and singing. 

I consider Sunday as not of Christian appointment, 
and it came from the hands of its great Creator surely, a 
day of rejoicing, in the fullest sense of the word? 

As Christians we would naturally dedicate a part of 
this merciful dispensation of leisure to him, whose first 
striking act of benevolence towards his creatures, it was — 
but, that passed, I rather hold myself called upon to see 
the good set before me with some outward expression of 
joy, and tho', for subordinate reasons, it may be well to 
commission our harder worked neighbor to rejoice for us, 
generally speaking — a concert now, and then, comes to 
me, you see, in the shape of a permitted thing. 

Habit however is stronger than opinion. I like a quiet 
Sunday, very seldom spend any other, and have to thank 
you and Mrs. Cooper for making it often a sociable day 
to me also, by admitting me into your little circle. 

I shall wish to hear what you think on this subject. I 
only now know your practise, and also your interpreta- 
tion of our Saviour's very remarkable conduct, and words, 
on more than one occasion, when he was accused of break- 
ing the Sabbath day and now, how many tickets shall I 



258 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

send, or rather take you'? for I hope to see Mrs. Cooper 
the next time I call. 

I beg my best remembrances to her, etc., and that you 
will believe 

Very truly Yrs 

E. Marlay 

FROM WILLIAM DUNLAP 

New York, Jany 30th, 1832. 
Dear Sir 

I wrote to you last June. In July I received your very 
welcome letter, by which it appeared that you had not 
received mine of June. I wrote in answer to yours, while 
I was following my trade of itinerant face maker in 
Vermont and northern New York. I do not know that 
you received either of my epistles. This is not meant as 
reproach, but merely, in case this reaches you, that you 
may know that I feel no disposition to neglect you. You 
are, I hope, better employed than in writing to me, or any 
individual; your pen belongs to mankind. 

Since my last I have seen your chanting Cherubs. If 
you have read a resolution of thanks from the Council of 
the National Academy — I believe I should have said a 
vote, in consequence of a motion made by me — you will 
know my opinion of the lovely group. If you can consist- 
ently with any previous engagement and with your views 
of the interest of the artist, lend the group to me, for the 
Exhibition of the National Academy of May next, I 
shall be much pleased. I believe the artist would be bene- 
fited by it. 

I have read your Aristocracy and I cry Bravo! bravo! 
You have done better than ever as a whole. Encore, en- 
core! 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 259 

To Mrs, Cooper, the young Ladies, and Paul, my 
love — nothing less — and my folks sincerely join me. 

Your friend sincerely 

Wm Dunlap 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq., Paris 

FROM PETER JAY 

New York, 21 Feb., 1832 
My dear Sir, 

Our Supreme court being unable to get thro' its busi- 
ness, a new Court called the Superior court was some 
years ago established for this city. Sam. Jones is Ch. 
Justice, and I. O. Hoffman and Th. I. Oakley the other 
Judges. It sits every month, and tho' very convenient for 
the merchants, is annoying to the lawyers, who have no 
vacation. Three years ago we entered into an agreement 
to try no cases in August, that we might have one month 
in the year for relaxation. The first year I went to 
Niagara, returning thro' upper Canada. The next year 
to Boston thro' the White Mountains. Last summer Mrs. 
Jay, Sarah, and I visited Quebec. Basil Hall's prejudices 
never appeared to me more ridiculous than when I passed 
thro' upper Canada. In lower Canada the people ap- 
peared much better off than I expected. There is much 
faction and discontent in both provinces. I bought a num- 
ber of their pamphlets to learn, if I could, something of 
their politics. On reading them I could find nothing to 
occasion so much excitement. Their Governors are not 
always wise men, but the policy of the English Gov^ has 
been conciliatory. The Grievances they complain of are 
petty affairs, and I suspect the truth to be, that their 
ambitious men have no other way to distinguish them- 
selves than by making a figure in the opposition. This 



26o CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

cause will probably lead them sooner or later to Inde- 
pendence. But they do not love us and at present have 
no desire to become part of our Union. Another ground 
of dissatisfaction is that the ofRcers of the army, of whom 
there are many, entertain a sovereign contempt for the 
Canadians, and are at no pains to conceal it. In our 
domestic politics there is nothing remarkable. Gen' Jack- 
son's reelection is considered as nearly certain. It is 
mooted whether the rejection of Mr. Van Buren's ap- 
pointment will do him more good or harm. I incline to 
the former opinion. His partizans are exerting themselves 
to make him Vice Pres^ But there is a bitter hostility to 
him at the South, which makes his success doubtful. In 
the congress the only topic very interesting to the public 
is the tariff. The revenue is more than is wanted, and to 
levy taxes solely to compel the Southerners to buy dear 
of the eastern manufacturers what they could buy cheap 
of Europeans, is revolting. All agree that the duties 
should be reduced, but they cannot agree in the mode of 
reducing them. Unfortunately the Southern people are 
so violent and unreasonable that they drive from their 
standard very many and very influential people in the 
middle and eastern States who would gladly rally round 
it. In Europe a dark cloud is lowering in the horizon. 
When or where the storm will burst, I cannot foresee, but 
it would be wonderful if the sky should clear up without 
a storm. A spirit of discontent seems to pervade that 
quarter of the world, and it is mingled with so much 
rancor and malevolence that I look for its effects with as 
much fear as hope. The present Governments are, I sup- 
pose, bad enough, but is there reason to expect that the 
revolutionary Governments which may succeed them will 
be better*? Is it not strange that from the time of Charle- 



1832: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 261 

magne till now France was never better governed than 
under Lewis 18 and Charles 10th? They did right to 
dethrone the latter for breaking the Charter, but if they 
mean to break it to pieces themselves and put to sea anew, 
without knowing where they shall land, they may find 
that they have gained little by the glorious three days. 
Be assured they are not yet prepared for a republican 
Gov*; such a one may be set up, but cannot last. 

I thank you for your kind offer respecting the wine, 
and for the specimens you promise me. I will speak to 
our friends and we shall probably trouble you to send us 
some. Your health has been often drunk among us, and 
it will certainly not be forgotten when every glass will 
remind us of you. At least five bottles of french wine are 
now drank where one was before you left us. At dinner 
parties porter and cider are no longer seen. The table 
drink is claret and water. Tho' the preeminence is still 
awarded to Madeira, its consumption is greatly dimin- 
ished, being superseded in part by Chateau Margeaux, 
Sauterne, and Hermitage. Much champagne is used. As 
it is the only wine which disagrees with me, I suspect that 
we receive little which is not mixed, for I do not believe 
that pure wine, drank in moderate quantity, will make 
the head ache, or the stomach sick. Rhenish and Moselle 
wines are also coming into use, but slowly. 

Your Bravo is greatly admired among us, as well as in 
Europe, It contains scenes splendidly painted. Your new 
novels and travels will all be looked for anxiously, and 
read with pleasure. Poor Sir Walter Scott! His last book 
made me sorrowful. I am glad to hear such good news of 
our friend Morse. I believe he is a worthy man as well 
as a good artist; remember me to him if you please. I hear 
that Greenough is to be employed to make a Statue of 



262 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

Washington. The exhibition of your cherubs has I fear 
brought him but little money. It is surprising how little 
people here know or care about Sculpture. 

I hear from others as well as yourself the most agree- 
able accounts of the Miss Coopers. By the by, you mis- 
understood sadly something I formerly said in relation to 
them. Of all men in the world you are the last to be sus- 
pected of maneuvering to make matches. I never heard 
any one insinuate any thing like it. What I meant was 
to induce you to return to America by hinting that if you 
delayed it too long, you might leave your daughters be- 
hind you, not supposing that doing so would be agreeable 
to you, but the reverse. Nor did I mean any thing uncivil 
to the Ladies. There must be fine young men at Paris; 
that such should offer themselves to fine young ladies and 
be accepted is in the natural course of things. But I must 
have expressed myself clumsily. 

My sisters returned from Charlestown without much 
change in Mrs. Banyer's health. She is at present as well 
as usual, but often suffers much. She was gratified, as you 
may suppose, by your kind expression concerning her in 
your former letter. She and Nancy often talk of you 
with great regard. In one of your letters you complained 
of your countrymen. You have really no reason. Your 
country is proud of you. Some of your brother authors 
are jealous and write reviews. But the public read your 
books and are pleased. You need not trouble yourself 
about reviews, you are above them. I have not yet rec«^ 
your letter on the expenditure of our Gov* — that of our 
state Gov* is not easily ascertained, and the amount of 
local taxes is unknown. Our state lays no direct tax. Yet 
the tax on my house is $80, and on the stone house $100; 
this is paid to the city Corp", but certainly the whole 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 263 

burden p'^ by our people is a mere trifle to that borne by 
the people of Europe. Mr. Herring tells me he has written 
to you on behalf of the Academy to request your assist- 
ance for a projected publication of a Book of portraits, 
and he has asked me to write to you about it. I am sure 
you will do what is right and reasonable about it and shall 
not trouble you with sollicitations. The value of such a 
work must depend on its execution, and probably the 
engravings can be done better and cheaper at Paris than 
elsewhere. I hope that long before this reaches you Mrs. 
Cooper will be restored to health. Be pleased to remember 
us all most respectfully to her and the young Ladies. 

Yours most sincerely 

Peter Augustus Jay. 
Your Dresden letter was very interesting, and did 
honor to your prescience. 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq., Paris. 

FROM J. E. DE KAY 

New York, April 1, 1832 
A very proper day, doubtless, for the epistle I am 
about to indite, but the opportunity presented by Mr. 
Lea is too favorable to allow it to escape. I arrived home 
only four days ago from Constantinople. I left this place 
in June last and have had a delightful excursion. The 
papers have no doubt informed you that Mr. Eckford 
sailed from this place in a Corvette ordered by the Sul- 
tan, and I made one of the party. If any of my friends 
come over me henceforward with their Romes and 
Venices and Palestines, I shall ask them if they have 
been tossed upon the Euxine or seen the glories of Stam- 
boul. It was my original intention to have returned home 
via Italy and France, and I accordingly communicated 



264 CORRESPONDENCE OF QSsz 

this to you in a letter which I did myself the honor to 
address you from [illegible] on the Bosphorus in August 
last. I left George in Stamboul, and you will probably 
see him in Paris by the time you receive this. I am en- 
tirely ignorant of all that has passed here but Lea will 
give you every information. The Cherubs failed here, 
owing it is said to their name. Our literal folks actually 
supposed that they were to sing, and when the man 
turned them round in order to exhibit them in a different 
position, they exclaimed, "Ah he is going to wind them 
up: we shall hear them now." I wish the scene of this 
story lay anywhere but in New York, but it cannot be 
helped, and I must continue to consider my townsmen 
as a race of cheating, lying money getting blockheads. I 
feel getting warm and shall therefore conclude. I must 
add my wishes that your shadow may never grow less. 

Respectfully 

J. E. De Kay 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Wednesday 11 April [1832] 
My dear Sir, 

I am perfectly of your opinion respecting the personal 
expenses incurred by Dr. Howe in the execution of our 
instructions. His mission has been fulfilled in a manner 
so gratifying to the Poles, so creditable to the American 
name, so honorable for himself, that I think a vote of 
thanks must be past, which it may be agreeable for him 
to see printed in the American papers. 

I have been too much taken up this morning that I 
hardly have the time to dictate these few words before I 
go to the house. Yet I want to obtain from you an imme- 
diate answer upon the following point. 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 265 

My friend Mad^ Constant, the Widow of our much 
lamented colleague, has a sum of money to place in 
American Stocks. The U. S. funds are in a fair way of 
speedy reimbursement. 

What may be done with the U. S. bank or particular 
state banks, I do not well know. 

The bank of New York seems to me a safe placement. 
So are no doubt the Canal Stocks. What interest do they 
fetch*? What measures must be taken to deposite the 
money, get a title and receive the quarterly or annual 
interest? 

Mad^ Constant, who is going to leave town does 
anxiously expect an answer and has desired me to apply 
to you confiding in your kindness to write your opinion 
on the matter, which I shall immediately transmit to her. 

In the expectation to call upon you this evening, I am 
most truly and affectionately 

Your friend 

Lafayette 
A Monsieur Cooper, a Paris. 

FROM GENERAL BERNARD 

Paris, June 29, 1832 
Private 
My dear and honored friend, 

I should have called on you, to-day, but official busi- 
ness prevented ; so I am sending you a few lines in refer- 
ence to the question that you asked me yesterday. 

In the actual situation of affairs in France, and know- 
ing the sense of propriety and the dignity of the American 
character, I must infer that the official toasts proposed at 
the dinner will make no allusion to the varying opinions 
which divide France at this time. As to impromptu toasts, 



266 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

I know that it is impossible to control them, much though 
it is to be desired that they make no allusion to party 
feeling in France. 

I recall that for a similar reason Mr. Rives was not 
present at the fourth of July dinner in 1830. I do not 
know what he intends to do this year, considering the 
state of affairs and the conditions imposed upon him by 
his official position ; but if he does not attend the dinner, 
I, myself, can not go, for reasons which, if not precisely 
the same, are analogous. If he does go, I see no reason 
why I should not do the same, in case they do me the 
honor to invite me. 

So, my dear and honored friend, if Mr. Rives attends 
the dinner and if you think that it will go off without 
party feeling as regards the affairs of France, I will 
accept an invitation if it be sent me; if you think other- 
wise, you will render me a true service by not inviting me. 

Decide the question yourself, and whatever you do will 
be satisfactory and accepted with gratitude by your 

most devoted 
Bernard — 
Lieut. General 

The following is the list of toasts ; they seem harmless enough : 

(Paris, July 4, L832) 

1. The day. 

The 4th July, 1776 — Fifty-four persons attest the wisdom 
of its councils. 

2. The constitution — the People and the President of the 

United States. 

3. The king of France and the French nation. 

4. The memory of Washington! (standing and in silence). 

5. The Statesmen and warriors of the Revolution — models for 

all Time. 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 267 

6. The Law — the expression of the public will. 

7. The Union — a chain that brightens with time. 

8. The Army, Navy, and Militia — Chippewa, Champlain, and 

New Orleans. 

9. The perpetual Independence of our southern neighbors — 

when the child is of age, nature teaches that it should go 
alone. 

10. Greece! dum spiro — spero * * 

11. Public Instruction — the basis of Liberty. 

12. Home — "at each remove I drag a lengthening chain." 

13. Our countrywomen and the Fair of France. Standing. 

et decus, et pretium recti 

La Fayette. The friend, pupil and co-worker of Washington — 
We know no higher eulogy. [Written in pencil by Cooper.] 

FROM H. C. CAREY 

Phil., July 13, 1832 
Dear Sir 

You will have seen, before receipt of this letter, that 
the cholera is in New York, and that it has almost de- 
populated the city. Here, we have had only a single case, 
but we are in daily expectation of it, and the effect upon 
business is almost the same as if it were here already. 
Fortunately, there is no such panic as that which pre- 
vailed at N. York, and as every one knows that all possi- 
ble precautions have been taken, they wait with pa- 
tience — and if it should come, I hope it will not so utterly 
destroy business as it has in the other city. 

Everything was dull before, but its arrival has tended 
to aggravate all the ills attendant upon business — or upon 
a disordered state of it, such as we have had for the last 
9 months. To add to all other evils, the president has 
just vetoed the Bank, and the people of the South swear 
they will nullify, so that we seem likely to have a glorious 



268 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

state of things in the course of the next half year. What 
is to be the result, Heaven only knows, but I fear we are 
destined to see bad times in every way. Politically and 
morally they are already bad enough, notwithstanding 
all your puffs, which do well enough for the people of 
Europe. The people at the head of affairs, on all sides, 
Jackson and Van Buren, Clay and his friends, Calhoun 
and McDufRe, care for nothing but power, and will send 
the nation to the Devil, provided they can rule even there. 
Jackson vetoes the Bank and the Tariff as far as he can, 
to secure New York to the South — Clay pushes the 
Bank, in order to compel Jackson to veto it, hoping by 
that to secure Pennsylvania — Van Buren's friends want 
to secure the control of the bank, first getting it to New 
York, and to attain this object they are willing to derange 
all the operations of the country for some years to come — 
so we go. When you return here you will be almost as 
much shocked as Irving has been — not quite so much, as 
he was absent 18 years and you only 6. We have, how- 
ever, made more progress downward in 6 years than we 
did in the previous 12. The world is out of joint on both 
sides of the Atlantic and it is difficult to imagine who can 
set it right. 

After this long chapter of grievances, I come back to 
your book. It is in hands and will be printed next month, 
and published, should not the cholera extend its ravages, 
about the first of September. To publish it sooner would 
be useless, as the people now read only the Cholera 
Gazette. You say, you will keep it back a month, but I 
hope it will be two before you try it out, as it would not 
do to delay it long after the European edition, however 
bad might be the state of affairs here. Had you brought 
it out at the time you proposed, it would have been just 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 269 

in time here, but the cursed cholera which delayed you 
there has just thrown it into the worst possible time here. 
If it could only carry off Jackson and a few other of our 
politicians by trade, I would submit to all the incon- 
venience of it for a month or two — I could bear with 
that, as it cannot be avoided, but it grieves me to see such 
a Nation as this, just when all the world is beginning to 
see the advantages of our system, torn to pieces and de- 
ranged in all its parts, to gratify the cupidity and lust of 
power of a parcel of dxxxxd scoundrels. 

You will see that I write in a remarkable good humor 
and I can only hope that you will be in a better one when 
you read it. As we have nothing good here, I hope you 
will speedily send some goodness from your quarter, 
though we look for nothing better than another Revo- 
lution. 

I am DSir 

Y"" very truly 

H. C. Carey 

Henry C. Carey, political economist, was born in 1793 in 
Philadelphia. He was a partner in his father's publishing house, 
Lea & Carey, until 1835, when he retired. He wrote many books 
on political economy. He died in 1879. 

TO S. F. B. MORSE, PARIS 

July 31, 1832 
My dear Morse, 

Here we are at Spa — the famous hard-drinking, dis- 
sipated, gambling, intriguing Spa — where so much folly 
has been committed, so many fortunes squandered, and 
so many women ruined ! How are the mighty fallen I We 
have just returned from a ramble in the environs, among 



270 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

deserted reception-houses, and along silent woods. The 
country is not unlike Ballston, though less wooded, more 
cultivated, and perhaps a little more varied. The town is 
irregular, small, consisting almost entirely of lodging 
houses (I mean for single families), and infinitely clean. 
The water is a tonic, and the air (we are at an elevation 
of twelve hundred feet) so light and bracing that I have 
determined to stay a week, on account of my wife — 
perhaps a fortnight. 

I have got a comfortable house, with every requisite, 
consisting of nine bedrooms, four parlors, stable, etc., for 
fifteen francs a day. The piano is strumming down stairs, 
and I am writing up, just as if we were in the Rue St. 
Dominique; and we only arrived last night. Our quaran- 
tine will be up to-night at twelve, and yet we are in no 
hurry to improve it. We lost three days at Liege (always 
in quarantine) that had much better been passed here. 

I have had a great compliment paid me. Master 
Samuel, and, as it is nearly the only compliment I have 
received in traveling over Europe, I am the more proud 
of it. Here are the facts : You must know there is a great 
painter in Bruxelles of the name of Verboeck-Hoven 
(which, translated into the vernacular, means a hull and 
a hook haked in an oven!)^ who is another Paul Potter. 
He outdoes all other men in drawing cattle, etc., with a 
suitable landscape. In his way, he is truly admirable. 
Well, sir, this artist did me the favor to call at Bruxelles 
with the request that I would let him sketch my face. He 
came after the horses were ordered, and, knowing the 
difficulty of the task, I thanked him, but was compelled 
to refuse. On our arrival at Liege we were told that a 
messenger from the governor had been to inquire for us, 
and I began to bethink me of my sins. There was no great 



\ 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 



;\. 



cause for fear, however, for it proved Mr. Bull-and-book- 
baked had phiced himself in the diligence, come down to 
Liege (sixty-three miles), and got the governor to give 
him notice, by means of my pass-port, when we came. Of 
course I sat. I cannot say the likeness is good; it has a 
vastly life-like look, and is like all the other pictures you 
have seen of m^y chameleon face. Let that be as it will, 
the compliment is none the less, and, provided the artist 
does not mean to serve me up as a specimen of American 
wild beasts, I shall thank him for it. To be followed 
twelve posts by a first-rate artist, who is in favor with the 
king, is so unusual that I was curious to know how far 
our minds were in unison, and so I probed him a little. 
I found him well skilled in his art, of course, but ignorant 
on most subjects. As respects our general views of men 
and things, there was scarcely a point in common, for he 
has few salient qualities, though he is liberal; but his 
gusto for natural subjects is strong, and his favorite 
among all my books is The Prairie^ which you know is 
filled with wild beasts. Here the secret was out. That 
picture of animal nature had so caught his fancy that he 
followed me sixty miles to paint a sketch. He sent me a 
beautiful pencil-sketch of the Belgian Lion, as a memo- 
rial of our achievement, which I hope to show you at my 
return. Wappers is in high repute. Mr. Verboeck-Hoven 
spoke of him as one would speak of a master, and with 
sincere respect. Others did the same. 

King Leopold was at Liege during our stay, as was 
his brother, the reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, 
with his two sons. It is said they all go off together to 
Compiegne to celebrate the approaching marriage. We 
had the town illuminated, and a salute that sounded 
fearfully like minute-guns. 



272 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

August I St. We have just made the tour of the springs, 
for there are four of them, in a circuit of about five miles, 
each having, it is said, a different property, and all tasting 
as much alike as if it had been drawn from two ends of 
the same barrel. 

Well, faith is a comfortable ingredient in a traveler's 
mind. For my part, I believe all I hear, which is much 
the least troublesome mood. As for the contradictions, I 
endeavor to forget them. 

We have a delicious air, and rather pretty environs, 
but the place is dull as a desert. There are a few Eng- 
lish, who pass you as if they were afraid some tailor had 
broke loose, and always look the other way until you are 
past, and then they are always staring after you to see 
if you are somebody. Our indifferent manner never fails 
to deceive them, for their quality always give a certain 
amount of trust and assume a certain genteel hauteur; 
none escape these two rocks in good breeding but those 
who are at the top of the ladder, and these are commonly 
known by means of fame, which never fails to blow a 
trumpet beforehand. 

'Tis a thousand pities that people who have so many 
really good points, and so much good sense in general, 
should be such fools, in these points, as to make them- 
selves uncomfortable, and everybody else who will sub- 
mit to their dictation. 

TO RICHARD COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Spa, in Belgium, August 5th, 1832 
My dear Richard, 

I have long been your debtor for a letter, but many 
engagements, too much writing in the way of books, and 
the necessity of bringing up a tardy correspondence, will 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 273 

satisfy you. Such near relatives are not to be too punc- 
tilious with each other. 

We know you are married, but we do not, even now, 
know to whom I You wrote the family name of your wife 
in so blind a way that nobody can make it out, here, and 
nobody I have seen has been able to tell me her name. 
Mrs. Pomeroy has spoken of her in her letters, but she 
too has not thought it necessary to be more explicit. In 
your next I hope you will withdraw the veil from this 
little mystery. 

You will see that we are at the celebrated waters of 
Spa. We left Paris on the 18th July, for the benefit of 
Mrs. Cooper's health, for your aunt was seriously ill last 
winter, and during the spring and summer she had three 
relapses, that had much weakened her. Our intention was 
(and it is not yet absolutely changed) to pass up the 
Rhine, into Switzerland, via Brussels and Francfort. We 
have been at Brussels and Antwerp, and have passed 
three days at Liege, when we came here. Mrs. Cooper 
thinks the waters agree with her, and we have now been 
here nearly a week. On Tuesday next it is our intention 
to go into Prussia, by Aix-la-Chapelle, which is about 
fifteen miles from this town, and to touch the Rhine at 
Cologne. We are in no hurry, for we are tired of cholera 
and a vitiated atmosphere, and our only object is health 
and recreation. 

Spa is a little, clean, comfortable town, about as large 
as Saratoga, but not a tenth part as gay. Families take 
furnished houses, and are comfortable enough — for a 
price that is sufficiently moderate, when one remembers 
it is a watering place. The whole family is with us, and 
two servants, but I left a furnished house in Paris, to 
which we intend to return in September. 



274 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

I wish you to enter into a little explanation for me 
with Mrs. Pomeroy, relative to Stuart's picture of your 
grand-father. I believe it is not very clear who is the 
owner of this picture, and as I am getting to be a col- 
lector, the question has more than common interest for 
me. I have several capital pictures, and among them a 
Rembrandt and a Teniers. The first is the story of Christ 
telling the Jews to "render unto Casar the things that 
are Cesar's" — and the latter is a portrait of his own wife. 
My collection is already getting to be respectable, and is 
worth several thousand dollars. Now such a portrait of 
my own father is of some account in the list, and I trust 
to your eloquence for effecting the transfer of title, while 
we are all living and present, to understand each other. 

Europe is in a very unquiet state. The governments 
like to crush the spirits of the people, and the people 
begin to see the means of extricating themselves from the 
grasp of their task-masters. You in America know noth- 
ing of the corruption and abuses of this part of the world, 
and you cry out against vices of government that would 
be thought perfection here. They are all struggling to 
imitate us, and no country is so often quoted as authority, 
now, as our owp. Do not fancy yourselves worse than you 
are because you are not perfect. Remember human frailty 
forbids perfection, but thank God for being as well off 
as you find yourselves. Rely on it, in all the essentials of 
true civilization you are a century in advance of every 
other country. 

Vevay, in Switzerland, Sept. 2 1st. Since writing the 
above we have come on here via Prussia, Francfort, 
Darmstadt, Wirtemberg, Baden, and the Oberland. I 
have taken a house for a month, on the lake of Geneva, 
for the air is delicious, and your aunt is advised to eat 



1832;] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 275 

grapes for her nerves. She is much better, and gets up and 
down a mountain pretty well. Paul sails a boat (a foot 
long) in the lake, and the rest of us row about and enjoy 
the magnificent scenery. The next day after to-morrow we 
go on the great St. Bernard, and about the 15th of next 
month we return to Paris. In the Spring, or rather Sum- 
mer, it is my intention to return home. Now for a little 
private business. 

I wish you to write to me the exact condition of the 
Mansion House — if it is to be bought — whether it is 
capable of being repaired, and the state of trie judgment 
obtained by Bridges, etc., against your Grandfather's 
heirs. I am not rich, but your aunt and myself possess 
together what would be an easy property at Cooperstown, 
and my annual receipts are large. If an arrangement can 
be made with Mr. Averell amicably, at a moderate price, 
I may be induced to take the old house, fit it up, and 
spend six months of each year in it. My habits and pur- 
suits require town for the rest of the year. Show my 
letter to Mr. Campbell, and get him to act with you in 
this affair. I cannot go beyond a moderate price, and I 
will not take less than the old grounds. I trust to your 
discretion in not being too precipitate, and I shall author- 
ize Mr. Jay to give you a fee in the event of success. I 
do not know Mr. Averell personally, and cannot judge 
therefore of the probability of his asking more or less 
than he would ask another person. If you think he has 
any liberality, you can use my name; if not, act in your 
own. But Mr. Campbell will be a good adviser in the 
transaction. A speedy answer is desirable, as we shall soon 
have need of a residence. If we can succeed in this pur- 
chase, the Jews shall be driven from the Temple, dear 



276 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

Dick, and your name will occupy its old station in 
Otsego. 

I hope to get an answer at Paris, by December. Give 
my love to your wife, and receive that of your aunt your- 
self. The young ladies have too much retenue to send 
such messages to gentlemen. Adieu. 

J. Fenimore Cooper 



FROM WILLIAM DUNLAP 

New York, August nth, 1832 
Dear Sir 

By the Havre packet of the i^* instant I sent some 
sheets of my History of the Theater. I now follow them 
up by more. Having once admitted the hope that the 
book might through your influence be made to produce 
something from an European republication, I am flat- 
tered by a hope that grows stronger as it grows older — in 
that respect — perhaps in others — a childlike hope. 

As the work will contain accurate information relative 
to the American Theatre and much not elsewhere to be 
found, it may be sought for by English dramatists, 
players and all others connected with the mimic and even 
the poetical world. It may prove an amusing book, and 
if so — a popular book. My remuneration here will prob- 
ably not exceed $500 — if you can make it yield me any- 
thing in addition, I shall be pleased, and so will you — 
the more the better. 

Can you secure a copy right in your own name*? If so — 
do it. I hereby make James Fenimore Cooper the sole 
proprietor of a Book entitled The History of the Ameri- 
can Theatre^ by W^ Dunlap., V. P. of the National 
Academy of Design — Author of Memory of G. F. 



1832: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 277 

Cooke — Biography of C. B. Brown, etc., etc., etc. — 
value received by 

Wm Dunlap 

FROM WILLIAM DUNLAP 

We have received from Greenough two capital por- 
traits in marble of Morse and Hole. Samuel's is the most 
perfect thing of the kind I ever saw. 

De Kay read me a part of your last letter to him — by 
the bye, as so many of your novels have been dramatized, 
as they call it, for the American Theatre, why should I 
not give a biography of you in my work*? 

14th I intend to send by the Havre packet of the 2oth 
duplicates of the sheets already sent and two sheets in 
addition. If the printing is commenced immediately the 
book may be out in London almost as soon as here. 

The cholera appears to be leaving us and we begin to 
be reconciled to being killed. The city has been very much 
deserted and a great many are yet absent and hundreds 
of shops are shut up. I have a gallery of pictures open in 
Broad Way, and last week in 6 fine clear days received — 
not a cent. As to portraits even Saint Peter would not 
think of employing me. 

igtli I put my packet for you into the hands of Mess" 
Bolton, Fox & Livingston, who promised to give it to 
Captain T. B. Pell, in their private letter bag, and as I 
had left this scrawl at Sixth Avenue, I put a few lines in 
the office respecting this hopeful baubling of mine. 

The Cholera, a theme that occupies our thoughts 
rather much yet, continues to decrease a little here, and 
having spread over all the Country and treated other 
Cities pretty much as it treats us, our streets are assuming 
the usual appearance of dollar hunting. 



278 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

I do not know that I have mentioned the size of my 
book. It is to be an octavo of about 430 pages. It brought 
the history of the American Theatre, players, plays and 
authors, chronologically down to the arrival of Cooke 
and then notices subsequent events and personages — as it 
may be. 

If the work takes, another volume may be written 
bringing the story down to the present time. 

We all join in wishes for the prosperity of yourself and 
family — 

Yours truly 

Wm Dunlap 

TO S. F. B. MORSE, PARIS 

Nonnenwerth, August 15, 1832 
My dear Morse: 

Here we are, on an island of the Rhine, about half- 
way between Cologne and Coblentz, and in a deserted 
Convent of Benedictine nuns. I am writing to you, you 
rogue, in the ancient refectory, which is now the salle-a- 
in anger of half a dozen Fenimore Coopers, with the 
Rhine rippling beneath my windows, the Drachenfels in 
full view by pale moonlight, a dozen feet sounding dis- 
tant and hollow in the cloisters, and with a bottle of 
Liebfrauenmilch at my elbow. The old Convent is de- 
graded to the occupation of a tavern. Our island, if not as 
important and well defended as that of Barataria, has 
some hundred acres, and is altogether a willowish, ser- 
pentine, wildish place. Our candles are farthing rush- 
lights, and these, in rooms that need fifty bougies, leave 
a sombre and appropriate gloom, so that, with one excep- 
tion, I do not remember a more romantic nightfall, in all 
our pilgrimage, than this. 



18323 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 279 

Your friends the Hawkers told us of the place, though 
I believe they had never visited it, and we left the car- 
riage on the main road this afternoon, to come over here 
for the night. We are quite alone, which adds to the 
pleasure, unless we could choose our companions. Mrs. 
C, the girls, Master Paul, and myself, each equipped 
with a candle, have just returned from a pilgrimage to the 
chapel, where we find most of the necessary ingredients 
for a funeral or a marriage, even at this hour; indeed, it 
is only ten years since the last nuns (eight in number) 
dispersed, so that everything is quite fresh and ecclesiasti- 
cal. To add to the satisfaction, the Benedictines were not 
a rigid order, and all is genteel and nice, as they say in 
London. I have this moment quitted the window, and 
there was a foot-step beneath it. My sight was a little 
dimmed by rush-lights, and fancy was left to supply the 
functions of observation. This might be the soul of the 
last lady abbess, who no doubt was fat, and had a solid 
step, or it might have been some truant nun scratching 
at the convent-walls, in a sort of habitual kicking against 
the pricks. Alas ! it was only an old horse that appeared to 
range at free commons over the isle. Well for the horse, 
he is not more than half flesh at the best. 

I am summoned to my cell. Mrs. Cooper has sent her 
maid to say I must quit the refectory, where I have tar- 
ried an indecent period already, and I obey. The cloister 
looks gloomy. A distant door opens, and a man issues into 
their vaults. It is my Swiss, who looks twice, and takes 
off his traveling cap with academic air, and the maid 
skims along with the light. I follow. A door, half open, 
gives me a glimpse of four men. They may be banditti, 
though they are in the Prussian uniform. A grinning 
crone meets us on the flight of heavy steps. And here I am 



28o CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

in a cell converted into a parlor, with a round table under 
my elbows, and a sofa under my seat. The adjoining 
room was formerly the parlor of the lady abbess, and 
indeed there is a suite of very respectable apartments, 
that show the good woman was well lodged. The voice of 
Master Paul is sounding through them irreverent and 
gay. The wind begins to murmur, casements to close, and 
we may have thunder next. This opinion has proved 
prophetic, and there has arisen a sudden gust, with light- 
ning. I take a candle and go through the corridors in 
quest of a sensation. A door communicating with the 
gallery of the chapel is open, and I enter, shutting myself 
in. Here was what I wanted, — images of saints, cruci- 
fixes, a dim light, rattling windows, and solitude. Every- 
thing was so fresh that the stuffed velvet chair of the lady 
abbess was near the railing and a prie-dieu at its side. I 
took a seat. In few moments the door slowly opened, and 
a hag thrust her wrinkled face into the gallery. I groaned, 
whether it was from fear or fun I leave you to guess, and 

away the old woman went as if the was after her. 

I withdrew like a well-bred ghost that has delivered his 
message. "But how came you in the convent *?" you may 
be disposed to inquire. 

We found that the water of Spa did so much good to 
Mrs. Cooper that we remained until last Monday; we 
then came to Aix — next day to Cologne, and to-day here. 
We are on our way to Switzerland. If you want change of 
air, jump into the diligence and come to Berne, where we 
will give you rooms for the last of the month. I do not 
expect to see Paris before this day month. 

'Tis near midnight, Mr. Morse, all but Nature is 
asleep, and I have been walking in the long and empty 
corridors. Strange thoughts come uppermost in such a 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 281 

place, and at such a time, Master Samuel, the rustling 
of the wind seems as the murmuring of uneasy sisters, the 
pattering ot the rain like floods of tears, and the thunder 
sounds as so many gcmissements at the sins of man. I seek 
my pillow. 

Thursday morning. — l^aus Deo! a peaceable night, 
and a refreshing morn, birds singing beneath my windows, 
the Rhine glittering between islands, the arch of Roland- 
seek tottering on a mountain near, and the tower of the 
Drachenfels on another. We dress and perambulate. 

I have been pacing the dimensions of our abode. The 
abbey pile extends six hundred feet in one direction, and 
about three hundred in another. The cloisters are about 
six hundred feet around. There are offices to a goodly 
extent, and cow-yard, and granaries; on the whole it is a 
capital thing, for one night, taking Drachenfels and 
Rhine into the count. The Liebfrauenmilch is but ques- 
tionable, though the fruits are excellent for the latitude. 

Rudesheim^ in the Duchy of Nassau^ 

Friday, 17th. 

Here I am finishing this letter in a tower, actually built 
by the Goths, at least so says tradition. It is an appendage 
of the inn, and forms part of our apartment, giving two 
or three stories of very romantic-looking little round 
rooms. We left the convent on Tuesday and went to 
Coblentz, and to-day we came to Bingen, and crossed the 
Rhine in boats to this tower. We are in the midst of good 
wine. Johannisberg is in plain view from my window, 
Steinberg a league or two off, Geisenheim and other nota- 
bilities all within call. My landlord has given me a bottle 
of cordial that he tells me he has from his own vines. In 
short, this is the country for your lover of the true Rhen- 
ish, which you know means me. 



282 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

There is mention made, in the introduction of Heiden- 

mauer, of a castle belonging to a Prince of . Well, 

we passed it to-day, and ascended the mountain. The 
prince had just gone to Cologne, and we had a clear field. 
Really the spot is bewitching; he has repaired an old 
baronial castle, and equipped it completely in baronial 
style. The buildings are several hundred feet above the 
river, and as irregular as heart could wish. One high 
tower has the beacon-light swung off, as in the middle 
ages, and there are balconies and outside staircases in 
them to turn the head of even a sailor. The furniture is 
either many hundred years old, or made to imitate articles 
of that age — chiefly the former; plenty of old armor, and 
the knight's hall is really a curiosity. The fireplace is as 
big as a Paris bedroom, and in one corner is a very ancient 
vessel to hold water, with a trough of stone to catch the 
drippings; most of the wood is oak. In short the whole 
thing is in keeping — stained glass, casements, and other 
niceties — I wish you had been with us. I have never seen 
anything in its way to equal it. The prince had been pass- 
ing several weeks in this aerie. You can look down per- 
pendicularly, from various terraces, balconies, and towers, 
three or four hundred feet. 

Yours truly 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

TO S. F. B. MORSE, PARIS 

Francfort, August 19th, 1832 
Dear Morse, 

I write a line merely to say that we are here, on our 
way to Switzerland. We cannot possibly be in Paris be- 
fore the middle of September, and you can go on leave to 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 283 

London, if you please, and come back by that time. 
There is little probability of my going with you to Amer- 
ica this Autumn. I dare not leave my wife, who quite 
loses her head when I am absent. She is vastly better, but 
far from being reestablished. However, we can arrange 
all that when we meet. 

The criticisms of which you speak, give me no concern. 
Everj^thing is done on calculation in France, and ever 
since the French revolution. The Dibels has been hinting 
to me that I had better change my politicks. The Heiden- 
mauer is not equal to The Bravo^ but it is a good book 
and better than two thirds of Scott's. They may say it is 
like his if they please; they have said so of every book 
I have written, even The Pilot! 

But The Heidenmauer is like, and was intended to be 
like, in order to show how differently a democrat and an 
aristocrat saw the same thing. As for French criticisms, 
they have never been able to exalt me in my own opinion, 
or to stir my bile, for they are written with such evident 
ignorance (I mean of English books) as tc^be beneath 
notice. What the deuce do I care whether my books are 
on their shelves or not? What did I ever get from France 
or Continental Europe? neither personal favors or money. 
But this they cannot understand, for so conceited is a 
Frenchman that many of them think I came to Paris to 
be paid. Now I never got the difference in the boiling of 
the pot, between New York and Paris, in my life. The 
Journal des Debats was snappish with Water-Witch^ 
worse, I believe, with Bravo, and let it bark at Heiden- 
mauer 7mdh^\\-a.n^td. No, no more. The humiliation comes 
from home. It is biting to find that accident has given me 
a country which has not manliness and pride to maintain 
its own opinions, while it is overflowing with conceit. 



284 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

But never mind all this. See that you do not decamp be- 
fore my departure, and I'll promise not to throw myself 
into the Rhine. Why cannot you join us in Switzer- 
land*? — a tour of twenty days will set you up. 

I see that my old mess-mate George Rodgers is dead, 
and that Downer has been blowing up the Malays; the 
latter is right, and the former will at least make honest 
Lawrence Kearney a Captain. Write to me at Berne. 

Mrs. Cooper desires to be kindly remembered, as do 
all the young people down to Paul. I hope the fourth of 
July is not breaking out on Heberham's noddle, for I 
can tell him that was the place most affected during the 
dinner. Adieu — 

Yours as ever 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

FROM HORATIO GREENOUGH 

Florence, August 22nd, 1832 
My Dear Sir— 

You have of course received my former answer to your 
proposal. I have only to add that it was not until this 
morning that I received, through friend Samuel's kind- 
ness, the news of the bill's having passed the Senate — 
without which I could not have thought of leaving Flor- 
ence and which comes now too late, as you will be sail- 
ing, probabl}^ before I could have time to finish my jobs 
and be with you. Had I known of this commission 6 
months since, I would have prepared myself to return. 
It would have been the greatest of gratifications to me — 
but I am now engaged until winter probably — for two 
months to come certainly — I am mortified that you 
should go away my creditor for so heavy a sum as 1 100 



1832:] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 285 

franks. I shall send my brother an order to pay it you or 
to whom you please in Boston, as I trust I shall, by the 
time you arrive, have credit through my commission, if 
not money from my Medora. To have seen you before 
you sailed would have been a great comfort. I shall soon 
become a Vox clamantis in deserto^ for Cole is going 
home too and Gore is about to leave Florence. I fear I 
shall not see you again for a long time. — I see your situa- 
tion in America with different eyes from yours — I'm but 
a boy, I know, but my colpo (T occhio is not bad and I 
think you must have been bilious when you wrote — not 
that I don't know that there is working at home the stuff 
which lies atop here — but I think it's more imbecile and 
unripe than you seemed to feel. Two months will dissi- 
pate all these clouds, I hope and trust. I have leaned 
very hard on you, my dear Sir — but if you consider what 
I have attempted and with what means, you will believe 
that I have borne myself too as much as my knees would 
stagger under. — Well ! I hope all is now clear. Let us see 
if we can show Jonathan that art is a noble vehicle of 
national gratitude and glory and that a man may be an 
artist without being ergo a blackguard and a mischievous 
member of society. Alston and Morse they say are excep- 
tions of a high order — I can tell 'em that Alston and 
Morse have made the rule. 

FROM E. MARLAY 

Paris, Sep. 4th, 1832 
Dear Mr. Cooper 

I hope you may have received my few lines directed to 
Brussels, as I ought to have much sooner performed my 
promise of sending a letter to meet you on your way 



286 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

home, and I should have done so, but that with the heart 
heavy and the head aching, one is not worth listening to. 
I was only beginning to recover the shock of poor Gar- 
dien's death, and the recollection of his dreadful appear- 
ance which haunted me, when my new servant took what 
proved in the end to be the Cholorine, tho' frightful in 
its first effects, and I was ill myself afterwards with most 
alarming cramps. My constitution however resists infec- 
tion in an extraordinary manner, and we are all well 
again. I indeed feel better than I have done for months, 
and mean by the aid of a little St. Germain air, to rival 
your Ladies in their bloom upon your return. 

You will find Paris not as empty as it was, for the 
Cholera drives people in from the Country, and their 
carriages look cheerful in the Champs Elysees, amongst 
a few strangers are the Caldwells, come I am sorry to 
say on account of their eldest daughter's health, and Ld. 
and Ly. Ponsonby, on their way to Naples. I am only 
sorry that in this glimpse of these cousins, which is a 
great pleasure to me, I have not the opportunity of intro- 
ducing them more particularly to you. I think you would 
like the Premier's brother-in-law, perhaps as well as him- 
self, better even, for he is an Irishman. He is very pleas- 
ing, and very good company, clever, and agreeable. He 
speaks most encourageingly of English politics, and does 
not seem to have a doubt of Ld. Grey's continuing in 
office. The hard work Ld. Grey has to go through agrees 
with his health, and full of hope amounting to certainty 
as to the beneficial result of his measures, he pursues them 
calmly, and indefatigably. The public mind, commerce, 
et cetera — all are en bon train^ according to Lord Pon- 
sonby, and in his couleur de rose view, he even includes 
poor Ireland. I know good works its way for her also, but 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 287 

it is slow, sadly slow, and misery in the mean while dis- 
plays itself in the most fearful shapes. Added to their 
manifold and more accustomed wretchedness, the people 
are dying by hundreds everywhere of Cholera and terri- 
fied by the appearance of this dreadful disease they in 
many instances abandon all things, parents, children, 
dead, whole villages are deserted by all who can drag 
themselves away, and the helpless alone left, a proceed- 
ing so foreign to the usual feelings and habits of the Irish, 
who are devoted in their affections, and superstitious in 
the extreme about their dead, that it is indeed an appall- 
ing homage to the destroyer. I never receive a letter from 
Ireland that does not contain some heart rending descrip- 
tion of this kind. 

You are happy who can see a resemblance to your home 
lake without a drawback on its charm, and look to your 
country without a regret, and yet — Would I give up the 
fairy land of my first thoughts, with its dreamy recollec- 
tions, its wild warm enthusiastic inhabitants, its poetry 
in all things^ for your fair World, telling only of the 
hand which made it, and the future promise of its chil- 
dren? We are each fitted to the niche in which we find 
ourselves, another secret for your Heaven to reveal in its 
own good time, or according to Dr. Bowring, for us to 
discover, when we shall be advanced on, an existence or 
two farther, in our pursuit after truth. I hear only of 
Dr. B — that he is quite sure of becoming a Parliament 
man. Poor Michiewitz is come, agreeable as ever, but 
out of health, and out of spirits, and I see little of him. 
He seems to have taken an aversion to Paris, and to see 
all things in a gloomy point of view, as well he may, tho' 
latterly the Government appears to treat the Poles better. 
He and Chodzko are printing another edition of his 



288 CORRESPONDENCE OF fiBsi 

Poems, with what object at this inauspicious moment I 
cannot divine, but I suppose half patriotic, half pecuni- 
ary. The first — alas I The second must I trust offer some 
certainty or they would not have engaged in the under- 
taking. 

Mr. Morse forgot to send me your Heidenmauer, and 
by the time I felt strong enough to seek him in the 
Louvre, he was gone. I feel sorry not to have seen his 
picture, and mean that you shall chaperone me in a visit 
to it chcz lui^ where I think he said he should finish the 
Gallery, etc. I have found such a Gallery of pictures for 
you in return, what appears to me really an extraordinary 
collection, one I am sure you will like to look at, tho' you 
will not require its description here. 

The on dit to-day advances the affair of Belgium and 
Holland, more than the 69 protocols. It announces the 
visit of King Leopold to Paris in October, when the 
marriage fetes are to take place, and adds that he comes 
immediately after the evacuation of Antwerpe I ! This 
would lengthen the chances of his reign a little? They 
say also that Prince Talleyrand, who tho' coughing his 
life away, is much consulted by this court, considers the 
juste milieu as gathering strength from all things, and 
quite able to encounter the Chambers. The Court cer- 
tainly appear in high spirits, and their adherents think 
Mons. Sarsan's book works its own cure, by its estab- 
lishing without contradiction the Propaganda of the 
extreme opposition, by the trammels in which the same 
party held the king for a moment so as to pledge him by 
implication, but by implication only, to their own war 
schemes, and by the acknowledgement which it makes in 
the face of Europe that they acted as they did in electing 
Philippe, from the positive certainty that France would 



1832J JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 289 

not have a republic. I doubt your drawing these conclu- 
sions from it. I wish I had any pleasant news to tell you, 
but this has been a hapless summer in my little world of 
acquaintances, and it seems as if the harm had not yet 
spent itself. Poor Mons. de Verupac is I fear dying of 
a broken blood vessel, and I found the other day after a 
ten days' absence Mme. Cuvier and her sister sitting to- 
gether, both in Widow's weeds, Mr. Brach having died 
of cholera within the week. He was old, and no great loss, 
but still it is another shock to that afflicted family. Do not 
let all this frighten you from coming. The complaint is 
fast receding again, and the cases far less bad than they 
were. I trust you will all arrive in health to bid defiance 
to its poor remains, and little Paul with all his legs, and 
wings escaped safe and sound from the perils of preci- 
pices, and Pegasuses, grown tall and strong as a hero of 
adventure ought to be. 

Should this reach you on your way, pray accept my 
affectionate remembrances for all your party, and believe 
dear Mr. Cooper 

Very truly yrs 

E. Marl ay. 
Monsieur Fenimore Cooper, Geneva 

FROM E. MARLAY 

Paris, Sept ^^-^^ 18-^2 
Dear Mr. Cooper 

I take all sorts of means of writing to you, because I 
would not appear ungrateful for your letter, and because 
I would if possible give myself a chance of hearing from 
you again. Here are therefore half a dozen lines put into 
Lady Ponsonby's travelling work basket, which she will 



290 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

give you should she meet you, as I expect, en route. If 
not, she will leave them at her discretion at some place 
where you may be likely to pass. Of course I must keep as 
clear of Mons"^ Persil as I can and confine myself to 
loves, and good wishes to your party, and an assurance 
that all goes well with your Paris friends as far as I 
know. I am however very bad authority, as I have not 
yet picked up my walking strength, and seldom go be- 
yond the Tuileries, There under my tree, I have endured 
since we parted, as many changes of climate as you can 
well have managed in your tour, and none agreeable — all 
too hot, or too cold, until this moment, when we have 
delightful autumn weather. 

I write to you in the evening by a fire with the window 
open. Paris would have been long a desert to me, but 
for the little glimpse which I have had of the Ponsonbys, 
and the Chabots, who only go to the Country for the 
first time next Saturday. In October all those who are 
gay must return to Town, as the Ks & Q" of Belgium 
come then to pay their August Parents a visit, and the 
marriages fetes, etc., are to take place. The little Q" now 
writes happily, and in good spirits, but her marriage was 
a most doleful concern. There were tears, more or less 
the whole time, and they say the King of the French was 
so overcome with grief at Parting with her, that he lost 
his head, and did not know what he was about for some 
days afterwards. 

The Court is now at Neuilly, where the crickets are 
chirping their welcome home so loudly (ominous, we 
should think in Ireland), that they can neither hear them- 
selves talk, nor Prince Talleyrand cough. Those who do 
hear him, consider him as gone, but he struggles on man- 
fully against this attack, tho' he acknowledges that he 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 291 

cannot go yet to England. Comte de Flahaut seems will- 
ing to save him any trouble on that account he pleases. 
Sebastiani also plays the dying hero, keeps his porte 
feuille, and means even to try to speak in the Chambers. 
Would he break down, they talk of M. de Latour Mau- 
bergne, now at Naples, to replace him. These, with Soult 
President du Conseil, and Dupin Garde des Sceaux, 
form the Ministry most talked of. I went to see M. 
Dupin installed a I'Academie Frangaise. He is a rough 
Academician, but I should suppose might in the Cham- 
bers be very efficient, in repelling, and retorting, exag- 
gerated accusations, and unmeasured censure. The one 
thing needful, unless the assembled Elders have wonder- 
fully changed their style since last session. Lord and 
Lady James Hay desire to be remembered to you from 
their northern home, where they are now established. Mr. 
and Mrs. Caldwell enquire for you here, and Mr. Fox, 
who seems to keep his legation at Turin waiting, as he did 
Mrs. Rawdon's party. I saw her young, well and hand- 
some again, the other evens I saying precisely the same 
thing as in the month of March, of S^ William's uncer- 
tainty about coming. In the meanwhile there she is living 
on, unpacked, and unsettled, in that uncomfortable chim- 
ney top where you left her. I met her at S'' Granville's, 
where the few fine Ladies who are spared to us, were 
dressed in plain white muslin gowns, with black lace 
scarfs, like those worn by our Grandmothers; and which 
are La grande Mode. This piece of news may be useful 
to your Ladies should they pass by Chantilly. 

Farewell dear Mr. Cooper. A long letter from me is 
now for some days on the road to you — nothing worth 
however, should it ever reach you. I must depend for your 
answer, upon my affectionate recollection of all your 



292 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

party. In this I yield to none of your correspondents. I 
now beg you will all believe 

Most truly Yrs 

E. Marlay 
Monsieur Fenimore Cooper, Vevay 

FROM S. F. B. MORSE . 

Paris, Sepf 6th, 1832 
My dear Sir, 

Your most tempting letter from Berne was received yes- 
terday. Alas I my dear Sir, it is impossible for me to alter 
my determination to return home this autumn. You, with 
your happy family gathered round you, know too well the 
happiness of that circle, not to make allowances for that 
weakness (if weakness it may be called) in your humble 
servant when he confesses that he longs most ardently to 
see around him once more, those dear ones he left behind 
him, it is now 3 years ago. Many circumstances would 
induce me to stay longer in Europe; not the least I assure 
you, is the idea of being near you this winter and of going 
home with you in the Spring; but my ulterior plans 
would be so completely deranged by the delay, that, how- 
ever desirable, I must deny myself the gratification. I 
shall be entirely packed up to-morrow. I have finished all 
that is necessary at the Louvre, and I will venture to say 
you will find the last picture on which I painted as highly 
finished as any of the others; I wish you could see it; its 
general effect is much changed by the finishing of all the 
pictures, and when I put in the gallery by pinning it on to 
the large canvas, you cannot conceive what a difference 
it makes. Well, you will have the better surprise and 
gratification I hope in the Spring; I shall have to finish 
the Rembrandt when I get home temporarily from the 



1832;] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 293 

print, but when your copy that I made shall arrive it can 
easily be corrected if I should not have finished it prop- 
erly. Worn down as I am and unable to touch a pencil at 
present, I yet can't bear the idea of being so long a time 
without painting again upon this picture; I have become 
so interested in it that I believe I should risk my life 
in finishing it, if I staid longer in Paris. 

Towards the end of my labors upon it in the Gallery 
it attracted much more attention, and (with the excep- 
tion of some knowing John Bulls broke loose from Corn- 
hill, who having gaped in wonder at it, and asked each 
other what it could be, and concluding that it was a fire 
screen! !) the picture has certainly pleased. Le Chevalier 
LeNoir saw it at my room yesterday, and has to-day sent 
me as a compliment, a large folio work of the Monuments 
of France exceedingly valuable and containing more than 
800 subjects from the Antiquities of France engraved in 
outline; he has inscribed upon the title page "offert par 
Vauteur a Vestimahle Mons. F. B. Morse; Le Chev^ 
Alexandre LeNoir J' This mark of attention from such a 
man as Mr. LeNoir has gratified me much. By the by, 
my dear Sir {entre nous), there was something said a 
while ago in some of our talks, about having some notice 
of the picture in some of the French Papers ; now if such 
notice is to be taken, the sooner the better, it would cer- 
tainly be of advantage to its exhibition at home; a tem- 
perate unfiummerized notice I should like. If such notice 
is made, will you have the goodness to let me have the 
paper. 

My present plan is to go to England on Tuesday next 
1 1 th int. by way of Calais, where I shall engage my pas- 
sage at Havre in the packet of Oct. i^*. I shall stay in 
England but a few days and return to Havre by the 26 



294 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

or 27th in time to sail, so that I shall receive any com- 
munication from you through Mess'"^ Welles up to that 
time. Send me all your commands for home. 
In great haste but with real respect and esteem 
Yr friend and hum Ser'^* 

Sa?n. F. B. Morse. 

P.S. Accounts from U. S. to the 8th have reached 
Liverpool the Cholera is decreasing in N. York city but 
is yet alarming in the interior of the State Albany, Troy, 
etc. It has reached Phil, and commenced violently — 176 
cases in one day. [torn] be gone or nearly so from N. 
York by the time I [torn] I don't agree with you respect- 
ing the effect of weather or [torn] have had every vicissi- 
tude within 3 weeks here, and no difference perceptible 
in the number of cases, or the malignity of its type. It 
will have its own way and its own time as commissioned 
by Him who orders all events, and orders all things well. 

Sept. 7th. — The Havre Packet has just arrived, but I 
shall not see the papers in season to give you any informa- 
tion by this letter, but will write you again before I leave 
Paris if any thing occurs which I think will interest you. 
Present my best respects and regards to Mrs. Cooper (in 
whose restoration to health I sincerely rejoice with you) 
and to all your interesting family. May you all enjoy the 
greatest happiness, and return unbroken in number to 
your friends at home, among which you must always set 
me down as one of your sincerest. 

By the by, passing through the Palais Royal to-day I 
saw in the window of a bookshop, a book called the 
Mannequin, it is an opera performed here in March last; 
will not this interfere with your title?' 

Monsieur J. F. Cooper, Geneva 



18323 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 295 

FROM PETER JAY 

New York, 7 Sept., 1832 
My dear Sir, 

Mrs. Jay has rec'^ and is gratified by your letter to her. 
She and the family are still at Rye, but intend soon to 
remove to the city. In consequence of the cholera the 
courts did no business in July and August, and I spent 
those months in the country. This disease is subsiding, but 
still carries off a great many. In this city about 3000 have 
died of it, and it is scattered all over the country. The 
remarks you make concerning it are all as accurate here as 
in France. All the french modes of cure have been tried — 
ice, opium, camphor, injections into the veins, etc., but 
nothing seems to diminish the mortality. Our best Physi- 
cians admit that it is a most unaccountable and most 
fatal disease. 

I am sorry you have been so much vexed by the review 
published in the American; I do not remember it. I did 
not think you were so thin skinned. You must write a 
Dunciad. Why do you expect to escape such annoyances 
more than Pope or any other great author"? While the 
public buy your books, read your books, and praise your 
books it appears to me you ought to be content, even tho' 
the Government writers abuse them. You hate aristo- 
crats and therefore should not complain that they hate 
you. Your publications are intended to do them harm, 
and their writers attempt to injure you. 

But why complain of your own countrymen*? They 
honor you. Be assured of it. 

The late proceedings of the German Diet shew more 
fight among its members than I had suspected them of. 
Nothing it seems to me could have been more unwise. 



296 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

We shall all be happy to see you again. 

Your friend and ser'^* 

Peter Augustus Jay. 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq., Paris. 



FROM S. F. B. MORSE 

Havre, Oct. 2d, 1832 
My dear Sir, 

I have but a moment to write you one line as in a few 
hours I shall be under weigh for dear America. I arrived 
from England by the way of Southampton a day or two 
since and have had every moment till now occupied in 
preparations for embarking. I rec^ yours from Vevay 
yesterday, and thank you for it. Yes, Mr. Rives and fam- 
ily, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Rogers, Mrs. Palmer and family, 
and a full cabin beside accompany me. What shall I do 
with such an anti-statistical set'? I wish you were of the 
party, to shut their mouths on some points. I shall have 
good opportunity to talk with Mr. Rives, whom I like 
notwithstanding; I think he has good American feeling 
in the main, and means well, although I cannot account 
for his permitting you to suffer in the Chambers (and the 
General). I will find out that if I can. My journey to 
England, change of scene, and air, have restored me won- 
derfully. I knew they would. I like John's country, it is 
a garden and appears beautifully in contrast with France, 
and John's people have excellent qualities, and he has 
many good people, but I hate his aristocratic system, and 
am more confirmed in my views than ever of its oppres- 
sive and unjust character. I saw a great deal of Leslie, 
he is the same good fellow that he ever was. Be tender of 
him, my dear Sir, I could mention some things which 



1832: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 297 

would soften your judgement of his political feelings; one 
thing only I can now say, remember he has married an 
English wife, whom he loves, and who has never known 
America. He keeps entirely aloof from politics and is 
wholly absorbed in his art. Newton is married to a Miss 
Sullivan, daughter of Gen. Sullivan of Boston, an ac- 
complished woman and a belle, he is expected in England 
soon. 

I found almost every body out of town in London, I 
called and left a card at Rogers', but he was in the coun- 
try, so were most of the artists of my acquaintance. The 
fine engraver who has executed so many of Leslie's works, 
Danforth^ is a staunch American, he would be a man 
after your heart, he admires you for that very quality. 
I must close in great haste. I have only time to say 
present my sincere respects and best wishes to Mrs. 
Cooper and all your family, and remember me to Horace 
when you write. Good-bye, my dear Sir. 

You shall hear from me when I reach home. 
Yrs sincerely and affectionately 

Sa?nl F. B. Morse. 
J. F. Cooper, Esq'', Paris 



FROM S. F. B. MORSE 

Havre, Oct. 5th, 1832 
My dear Sir, 

Here I am yet, wind bound, with a tremendous South- 
wester directly in our teeth. Yesterday the Formosa ar- 
rived and brought papers, etc., to the 10th Sept. I have 
been looking them over. Matters look serious at the 
south; they are ?nad there; great decision and prudence 
will be required to restore them to reason again, but they 



298 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

are so hot-headed and are so far committed I know not 
what will be the issue. Yet I think our Institutions are 
equal to any crisis. Look into the Commercial Advocate 
of the 8th Sept. What a bad tone that paper has; every 
thing is distorted into a political trick, the Editorial 
article is headed, Something Strange^ because Mr. Liv- 
ingston has written to the several Governors of the States 
to obtain the Statistical information required to solve the 
question in which you have so ably figured. I threw the 
paper down in disgust. The account of the 4th July cele- 
bration is at full length in the papers, in the American 
and 'National Gazette. The Cholera is diminishing. It 
has been light in Phil, and Boston. 

Oct. 6. 7 o'clock we are setting under \ ^ . Good- 

' o » [ way 

bye. 

I have no ink, excuse my haste, I have only time to say 
give my best respects to Mrs. Cooper and your daughters 
and Master Paul. Hoping to see you all before many 
months 

I am as ever Yrs. Sincerely 

Sam^ F. B. Morse 
A Monsieur J. F. Cooper, Paris 



FROM WILLIAM DUNLAP 

New York, Ocf 6th 1832 
Dear Sir 

By the Havre packet of the i^t inst. (Capt" Lee) I 
sent in print and manuscript the remainder of my His- 
tory of the American Theatre. A portion of the appendix 
will be found in addition on the sheets which will accom- 



1832:1 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 299 

pany this. As I have not heard from you since I com- 
municated my wish to have the book republished, and as I 
know your wish to serve me, I hope that it is printing in 
London at this time. I shall endeavor to send a complete 
copy by this opportunity. If it is not announced in the 
usual manner for publication before you receive this, I 
pray you lose no time in so doing, or I may lose all chance 
by some malapropos accident as I did it with my Mem- 
oirs of Cooke. I am encouraged to think that American 
works excite so much attention in Eng'^l that I may rely 
that a publisher will give something for the opportunity 
of issuing one from the press — either a definite sum, or a 
portion of the profits arising from the sale. 

I shall keep back the publication here for some days to 
give more time to publish in England. There are two 
Americans in England who will injure the book if they 
can. Not hearing from you in answer to my many letters 
puzzles me, especially as you desired me to write and 
promised answers. I fear that you may have been absent 
from Paris — if so all my hopes from Europe vanish 
unless the present communication succeeds and there is 
yet time enough to push out an Edition. 

My opinion of The Heidenmauer is in the Evg Post — 
my opinion is the same for you, only I wish that your 
next may have more of incident and stirring excitement 
for common readers (I am an uncommon one). Write 
for the vulgar as well as for us. The grand view you take 
of the effect of Luther's reformation on Society generally 
and on individuals of various classes and different educa- 
tions is great and worthy of yourself. Go on in God's 
name and prosper. With every good wish. 

Yrs Truly 

Wm Dunlap 



300 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1832 

FROM A LETTER OF MRS. COOPER TO HER SISTER 

November 26, 1832 
My dear Martha 

Most certainly you must be flattered, by Mrs. Gilbert 
Robertson's thinking you look like her — there is a tradi- 
tion that she was called "handsome Dolly," and I can 
remember her, in my young days, as a very fine looking 
woman. — 

We had a very pleasant party on the 22nd of this 

month — the officers of the regiment of the artillery 

of the Militia of New York, had sent a very handsome 
medal of the gold of Carolina, commemorative of the 
hundredth anniversary of the birth of Washington, to be 
presented to General Lafayette — and had requested Mr. 
Cooper to give it — the General dined with us, and in 
t!he evening we had a Party, of individuals of nine differ- 
ent nations, to do honour to the presentation — there were 
French, Poles, Dutch, Italian, English, Scotch, Irish, 
Swiss and our nation — Mr. Cooper made a speech, men- 
tioning the object of the offering and by whom it was 
made and presented it in the name of Col. Stevens, and 
the officers of the regiment and the General returned his 
thanks to them in receiving it. The Medal was very much 
admired, and the scene was very interesting — the Gen- 
eral's children and grandchildren were present — and 
seemed very much gratified, with this fresh proof of 
American affection to their revered Parent — and we were 
all glad that the representatives of so many countries 
should see how dear he is to us — after the ceremony of 
the presentation was over, the young folks danced — 

You say I do not talk enough about myself — and I 
had forgotten it until this moment — my sight is I think 
better than it was, though my right eye remains the 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 301 

same — I am stronger and better than I was — and walk 
out when it is fine weather in my new satin cloak, and 
velvet hat trimmed with floivers and when, as it usually 
happens, we have no sun, in my old cloak and hat. — 
What else shall I tell you? my beloved husband, and our 
dear children are all well — and happy in the hope of 
being with you before this time next year. I could croak, 
but I will keep that for Caroline, and only beg you to 
give my best love to Brother Wm and Francis, to Mary 
and to our dear Sister, from us all — adieu and believe 
me most truly and affectionately 

S. A. F. C. 

FROM WILLIAM JAY 

New York, 11th Dec"" 1832 
Dear Cooper 

The question "to be, or not to be" in reference to our 
federal union, will soon be decided. On the 1st Feb^'y 
next, the payment of duties on imports into South Caro- 
lina is to cease, and any attempt on the part of the Gen- 
eral Government to enforce their collection is to be the 
signal for the call of a State Convention to establish a 
separate government, for the independent nation of South 
Carolina. 

All this will give no pain to the Holy Alliance; and 
we ourselves are so busy in getting money, votes, and 
offices, that we seem to have little time to think or grieve 
about the matter. A wonderful apathy prevails on the 
subject. People generally are unwilling to believe that the 
Carolinians are as foolish and as wicked as they profess 
to be. It is but too true that the union is not regarded 
with that fond admiration and affection it once was. The 
South will barter the union for a good market for their 



302 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

cotton; and the North are ready to sacrifice it to the 
Tariff. 

The politicians of Europe, you well know, understand 
but little of our true character; and I fear the sequel will 
prove that the large credit many of them give us for pub- 
lic virtue is not among the least of their blunders. We are 
growing rich, and begin to feel that influence of wealth, 
which we are told makes it difficult for a rich man to 
enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Probably no nation 
exists in which so large a portion of its population enjoys 
the comforts and luxuries of wealth, as our own. But this 
remark applies chiefly to the free States, for the others, 
with some exceptions, are withering under the curse of 
Slavery. In the South the Slaves are multiplying faster 
than their masters, and occasion a fearful looking for, of 
wrath and tribulation. What think you — are these Slaves 
to be the only portion of the human race that are for ever 
to be denied the rights of humanity'? I think their emanci- 
pation approaches; and its consummation will follow, at 
no very distant period, the dissolution of the union. 

The federal Constitution rivets the fetters of the 
Slave, and protects his Master. But let the Nullifiers 
destroy this instrument and convert the people of the 
North from Brethren into enemies, and in the first war 
that ensues, the Slaves will assert their rights, and who 
will stand between them and their Masters'? The progress 
of Science and the arts is daily augmenting the superiority 
of free over slave labour; advancing the prosperity of the 
North, and subjecting the South to embarrassment and 
discontent. 

On your return you will be surprised, both at the 
growth of this City, and the elegance and even magnifi- 
cence of some of its new streets. I say on your return^ but 



1832] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 303 

when will that be'? I know you are, and will be, a good 
American, but your children will not love their Country 
as you do, unless they personally know it, and with all its 
faults no other country is so worthy of being loved. 

I have little to communicate about old Westchester. 
She is far behind her sisters in the race of improvement, 
but in the violence and fickleness of her politics is ex- 
ceeded by none. At present Aaron Ward, now General^ 
is decidedly the most popular man in the County, and 
has just been elected to Congress for the third time. The 
General, although differing from me in politics, has been 
a good friend to me, and I am under many obligations to 
him. 

The Cholera has left our City, but not our Country. 
This most eccentric and inexplicable disease has com- 
mitted sad havoc here. At Sing Sing it was dreadful, 
about 15 deaths occurred at Somers, Bedford escaped. 
It has just broken out a second time at Boston, and no one 
can tell how soon it may pay New York a second visit. 
You will have seen in the papers an account of its awful 
ravages in New Orleans, and of its sudden and extraordi- 
nary disappearance. Its progress through the Country is 
governed by no apparent laws. It broke out first in 
Canada, then appeared in New York, next in Albany, 
afterward in Rochester, and then in Utica. The city of 
Hudson escaped. The Doctors do not understand the 
disease, and very opposite treatments have their strenuous 
advocates among the faculty. 

The last letter I received from you was written on a 
Sunday, and the day very properly reminded you of your 
sins, and you therefore commenced with a confession of 
them towards me. Divines tell us, that in the progress of 
true repentance confession is followed by reformation. 



304 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

In full confidence that this will be so in your case, I grant 
you entire absolution, and remain 

Yours truly 

William Jay. 
J. Fenimore Cooper Esq'", Paris 

TO JOHN ALLEN COLLIER 

Paris, Dec. 14th, 1832 
My dear Collier, 

If there is another man in Broome beside yourself who 
could write the adventure of The Hon. Mr. Hill and 
The Barber., Mr. Bill., why, wit is rife among you. We 
have been laughing over it until the tears came to relieve 
us. Great joy like great grief will sometimes find vent at 
the eyes. I know nothing of the Honorable Mr. Hill, 
who is to be a perfect terra incognita in politics as well as 
in literature, but I very well know what fun is. I have 
just been giving a little myself to the French, and I take 
advantage of your franking privileges to send you a copy. 
The history of my morceau is this: — The Doctrinaires — 
who are gentry that believe in the possibility of having 
Monarchy, Aristocracy and Democracy all at once — in 
their jealousy of us, have let loose the curs of abuse upon 
us for the last twelvemonth. I have personified this theory 
under the name of The Three Ideas, and have made them 
the organs of proclaiming their own nonsense as respects 
us, by giving their facts and arguments a little coloured, 
and, by George, not much coloured either. You probably 
do not understand French well enough to feel my drift, 
and it is absolutely necessary to read the article in the 
original, to be familiar with all that has passed, and to be 
au fait of French character, in order to feel all I would 
express. At all events I have been so amused with Mr. 



1832: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 305 

Hill and Mr. Bill that I send my little effort in a foreign 
language as some slight acknowledgment, as well as with 
wish to recall myself to your recollection. 

Why do you not give us something in this way, of a 
more personal and lasting character, and in the same 
vein*? I could almost pledge myself to your success. I 
remember that, when a boy, you wrote rhymes with 
facility, though I think a narrative in humorous prose 
would answer better. Tell Tom Waterman I remember 
him, and hope he has not forgotten me. I am coming home 
next season with a wife and five children, the latter all 
born in America and good Americans in heart and char- 
acter. We will meet somewhere on the great continent, 
and I trust feel disposed to laugh over this squib and 
other matters. 

Yours very faithfully 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

FROM WILLIAM DUNLAP 

New York, Dec. 28^'^ 1832 
D^ James 

I received your letter of October and rest assured that 
all that man can do will be done for me. I will however 
hope — but it shall be that whatever is the result of the 
effort I shall be content. I do not mean that content which 
kills exertion, my youthful ardor forbids that. 

Morse and Cole are with us, much to our satisfaction. 
Your picture of the Gallery of the Louvre we have not 
yet seen. 

The cloud in our southern horizon engages all our 
attention at present. May it pass as a summer cloud — 
but it spits fire at present. Is it not lamentable that at the 
moment we were holding ourselves up for an example to 



3o6 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1832 

the old world, when we supposed that our institutions 
were becoming more and more stable, when the friends 
of liberty, peace and good will to man were looking to 
us with exultation, that the mean and selfish spirit which 
lurks under the guise of chivalry in the slave-holding 
aristocracy of the country, should render us a bye word to 
our enemies and an object for the slow-moving finger of 
scorn to point at? Can it be that it shall be so? God 
forbid I 

The events which have past and are passing among us 
are before you. I need not detail them. Those of the old 
world are only presented to me in pieces and translations, 
but I know that to an American in Paris all our publica- 
tions are acceptable and I know that you avail yourself of 
all accessible sources of information. 

We hope in the strength of the Union party of South 
Carolina. We have confidence imparted by the proclama- 
tion of the President. And I feel that the recommenda- 
tions of his message will have effect. I cannot but hope 
that actual rebellion will not take place — earnestly do I 
desire it. But if these high-minded negro drivers do shed 
blood, I trust there is a power here, even here, on earth, 
to put them down and restore, and even cement the Union 
on which not only our prosperity but that of the world 
depends. 

I have not seen as much of Morse as I wished, he has 
been sick and my first visit found him in bed. We have 
talked much of you and he read to me parts of your 
letters from Switzerland. I have seen him twice since, 
but not long enough to hear all I wish to know of you 
and yours. We both love you I feel assured, but he is old 
and so slow and I am young and impetuous — I feel like 
young Rapid in the play and cannot make him get on fast 



1833] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 307 

enough. He says you are disgusted with some of our 
conduct on this side the Herring-pond; it is bad enough 
I grant ye, but instead of giving us up come home and 
make us better — at least come and add weight to our 
scale. 

Now of myself and mine, your old school fellow "old 
John" has managed his pecuniary affairs after the exam- 
ple of his father — i.e., bad enough. He is now comfort- 
ably employed in the office of the District Attorney. We 
all live together still, and all enjoy health. I am writing 
a continuation of Theatrical history and preparing for 
one of Arts and Artists. The Harpers say they are satis- 
fied with the sale of my last book, and I have received the 
500 dollars I expected from it. As far as I can judge it 
has answered public expectation "as well as could be 
expected." 

Dec"" 30*^ The last day of the old year has arrived. 
May the year 1833 ^^^ Y^^ ^^^ yours in health and so 
employed as to insure happiness. 

We all join in expressions of sincere love 

Adieu 

W"^ Dunlap 

FROM HORATIO GREENOUGH 

Florence, January 29th, 1833 
Dear Mr. Cooper 

I have not heard from you since you left Switzerland 
except indirectly. I learned, however, from Brisbane that 
you were well some weeks since. Excuse my calling your 
attention again to the Statue. Mr. Livingston received 
my letter — he published it. Six months and upward have 
elapsed, yet I get no answer. Would you do me the favour 
to learn through some friend what they mean to do about 



3o8 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1833 

it. I can't begin without money. Delay will be of no serv- 
ice to them and very distressing to me. I would fain have 
avoided importuning anybody, but my friends here tell 
me that those official gentlemen sometimes require the 
spur. I am somewhat in a quandary whether I ought to 
fix myself here during the execution of this work — I fear 
I may become anchored for life. Still I see many obstacles 
to the study and exercise of my art in the States. The 
choice of a country in this case amounts to a choice of 
life. Like the ass between 2 bundles of hay I cast my eye 
from continent to continent and sigh that I can't plant 
one foot in the States and the other on the boot — chisel 
here with one hand and hold up to the christening font 
there with the other. Hitherto I have trodden on every 
sprouting inclination which threatened to shade or encum- 
ber my profession — shall I change tactics *? Pray give me 
your advice. I ask it seriously because I think I have 
reached one of those crossroads of life where the choice of 
path has a great influence on subsequent happiness. I 
hear Friend Brisbany has a new eye — I think we must 
call this his metaphysical eye. He told me gravely that he 
meant to make "that social tact for which the French are 
so remarkable" the subject of careful study this winter. 
T)ii immortales I The Yankees are at this moment all at 
court. O temporal Willis they say makes quite a figure. 
He goes to Rome shortly — whether it be with a thorn in 
his side I know not, though I fear he has sighed for a 
thorn. The latest tales report friend Samuel with a hard 
bellyache but nothing serious. What say you of Caro- 
lina*? I think I see symptoms^ but don't apprehend any- 
thing fatal yet. 

I had written thus far when yours of the 19th inst. 
reached me. I'm in hopes there will be no bloodshed. 



18333 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 309 

What a responsibility those men in Carolina are taking 
upon themselves! I can't tell you what the Italian 
Gazettes say — I never look at them. Repiiblic or no 
Republic, John Bull need never look for anything very 
consolatory to his vanity on our side the water. / reckon. 
I find my colossus sits heavy on youi stomach still. The 
hall is 76 feet high and 96 feet wide. There's my ground, 
sir — go into the Louvre, find a room of that dimension, 
and imagine the statue. It won't be heavy — depend on't. 
You would be amused to see the effect produced here 
among the artists by the rumour of commission. I find 
myself provided with a set of friends and foes in a jiffey. 
I know not which incommode me most. It is not pleasant 
to eat with hungry fellows looking through the window 
at you. I could tell you some droll things. — Basta. — My 
Journey to Heaven groupe is far advanced. I feel confi- 
dent it will take quite as well at least as the former one. 
Angels never wear cloathes, you remark. This comes 
strangely from you. I never saw one that was not dressed, 
and very tastefully too. I make 'em both stark naked. 
The conversation that passed .between me and the gentle- 
man who ordered the groupe was a scene. I fought hard 
and carried the day — the little fellows are to be provided 
with alabaster fig leaves which shall fall at a tap! of the 
hammer when the discerning public shall have digested 
the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. 

Kinlock is living here under the same roof with me. 
He is the oddest and at the same time the best of fellows 
in the world. There's no nullify about him, I assure you. 
He trembles for his niggers — I think with reason. 

It makes me melancholy to hear you talk of writing 
your last Romance. You mean to give way? I didn't 
know there was any body to take it. Still if you would 



310 CORRESPONDENCE OF . [1833 

turn your attention to one or two thorough legitimate 
national comedies I think you would put the topmost 
stone on the pyramid. Posterity ! There's the cud for you 
to chew while the curs are barking. On the whole I think 
you have better reason to be contented with your lot than 
any American who never entered public — I mean offi- 
cial — life. 

FROM S. F. B. MORSE 

My dear Sir, New-York, Feby. 28th, 1833 

Mr. Rogers having this moment called on me to say 
he would take charge of any package or letter I might 
wish to send to France, I take advantage of the oppor- 
tunity to send you your diploma from our Academy, and 
also a copy of a pamphlet which I have been compelled 
to publish in answer to Col. Trumbull. I wrote you by 
the last packet. — The So. Carolina business is probably 
settled by this time by Mr. Clay's compromise bill, so 
that the legitimates of Europe may stop blowing their 
twopenny trumpets in triumph at our disunion; the same 
clashing of interests in Europe would have caused 20 
years of war, and torrents of bloodshed; with us it has 
caused 3 or 4 years of wordy war, and some hundreds of 
gallons of ink, but no necks are broken, nor heads; all 
will be in statu ante helium in a few days. Now Mr. 
Cooper don't swear, nor breathe hard words, at what I 
am going to tell you. What do you think of the nomina- 
tion by our President, of the sapient Harris as charge des 
affairs to the chateau close by you"? 'Tis even so, and it 
is before the Senate. I wrote immediately on hearing of 
it to one of our Senators and spoke very plainly on the 
matter and gave him the history of that gentleman's 
career in Paris last winter, and moreover I ventured to add 



18333 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 311 

if they wished to wound the feelings of Gen. Lafayette 
as sensibly as possible and to take sides directly against 
the liberal party in support of principles adverse to lib- 
erty, they could not better accomplish their purpose than 
by confirming that nomination; Mr. Rives is in the 
Senate and I cannot believe he will give his assent, or 
keep the Senate ignorant of the man proposed to them, he 
frequently spoke with great contempt of Harris, and in 
a controversy on the financial question at our Club one 
evening, before he left New-York, and in which your 
views were controverted by some of the gentlemen, I was 
surprized to hear him espouse your cause warmly. 

Come home in the Spring, do. You shall not stay in 
Paris, if Harris is the representative of our country; if 
you do, I shall despair of ever seeing a smile on your 
face again; I would not answer for myself in such cir- 
cumstances, I assure you. My dear Sir, you are wanted at 
home; I want you, to encourage me by your presence. I 
find the Pioneer business has less of romance in the reality 
than in the description, and I find some tough stumps to 
pry up, and heavy stones to roll out of the way, and I get 
exhausted and desponding, and I should like a little of 
your sinew to come to my aid at such times, as it was wont 
to come at the Louvre. The cold weather is going away, 
and I am more able to paint again, and I shall not now 
remit till the Louvre is finished. 

Could you send me the copy of Rembrandt's steamboat 
that I made for you? I should be glad to retouch the 
copy of the same in the great picture. 

There is nothing new in New-York, every body is driv- 
ing after money, as usual, and there is an alarm of fire 
every half hour, as usual, and the pigs have the freedom 
of the city, as usual, so that in these respects at least, you 



312 CORRESPONDENCE OF QSss 

will find New-York as you left it, except that they are 
not the same people that are driving after money, nor 
the same houses burnt down, nor the same pigs at large in 
the streets. 

Will you let me know if you are alive as soon as pos- 
sible, and I will be obliged to you. Mr. Rogers the 
bearer hereof says that he is not an American citizen now, 
he hails from France. Stewart Newton made himself 
quite conspicuous, and rather obnoxious I learn, in his 
visit to Boston ; how much of this is scandal for his having 
captured the belle of Boston, and borne her off to his dear 
England, I don't know. He was bom in Halifax, and 
has a right to take the inferior name of Englishman if he 
pleases, de gustibus, etc. But Leslie, 'tis not so with 
Leslie. Believe me as ever, 

Truly y''^- 
S. F. B. P. Q. R. Morse 

Remember me with my best respects to Mrs. Cooper 
and your daughters. You will all be welcomed home, but 
come prepared to find many, very many things in taste 
and manners, different from your own good taste and 
manners; good taste and good manners would not be 
conspicuous if all around possessed the same measure. 
If Mr. Habersham is in Paris, and the fiighty St. 
Simonian Brisbane, please remember me to them. I 
should be pleased also to be remembered to the good 
general's family. 

I send a copy of my pamphlet for Horace; if you have 
an opportunity by private hand be so good as to send it 
to him. To Miss Marley, if still a visitant at your house, 
please make my respects. 

No more from yure twin frind. 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq"", Paris 



1833] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 313 

FROM PIERRE JEAN DAVID 

Paris, 10 March, 1833 
I very much hope that this new attempt to portray 
your features may sometimes recall to your mind a man 
who has for your great genius and for your noble char- 
acter the most intense and the deepest admiration. 
Your devoted and affectionate 

David. 
P.S. My wife wishes to be affectionately remembered to 
Mrs. Cooper; will you also present my respectful com- 
pliments. 

(Translation.) 

This note refers to a bronze relief of Cooper. 

TO RICHARD COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Paris, March 12th, 1833 
Dear Richard, 

Your two letters have reached me. I have delayed 
answering to the last moment to deliberate, and I am now 
sorry to say I cannot pay the price you name under the 
circumstances. The grounds will be much curtailed, and 
the whole thing will stand me in near $10,000 cash. We 
are coming home, however, and should Mr. Averell do 
nothing with the property this summer, I shall be better 
able to decide on the spot. So much depends on contin- 
gencies, and on facts that I do not understand, that I can 
give no better answer. Of course Mr. Averell is not 
bound to wait. 

I should like to hear from you, if you think the prop- 
erty will be vacant, six months hence, on the following 
points. Is the old barnyard included in the present 
grounds^ Is the hollow west of the grounds unoccupied, 



314 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1833 

and to be had reasonably *? What is the state of the Acad- 
emy lot, and of the old Kelly lots and houses on West 
Street"? What is the state of the lot in the rear of Mr. 
Pomeroy's grounds'? My decision may be much influ- 
enced by the answers, 

I cannot tell you precisely in what month we shall em- 
bark, but it will be either in June or in October; I think, 
however, in the latter. We are all well, and not sorry to 
turn our faces westward. 

You speak of some report as in connexion with Mr. 
Morse and your eldest cousin. Surely they who speak of 
such a thing can have no idea of the fitness of things. 
Mr. Morse is an old friend of mine^ but neither of my 
daughters would dream of making a husband of him. 
Morse is an excellent man, but not just the one to capti- 
vate a fine young woman of twenty. I had proposals for 
Susan, last week, coming from a Frenchman of good 
fortune, noble family, and very fair looks, but the thing 
would not do. We mean to continue Americans. These 
things, however, ought always to be respected as family 
secrets. You can contradict the silly report about Mr. 
Morse, with confidence. Give my love to your wife. If 
you have a boy, you should call him Richard Fenimore. 

Yours very truly, 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

FROM LADY RUSSELL 

Lisbon, March 15, 1833 
My dear Mr. Cooper 

I don't know on which side of the Atlantic you are, but 
I wish much to hear of some welfare — warfare — sea- 
fare — in short your correspondence is too agreeable a 
thing to give up lightly, I therefore write to enquire after 



18333 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 315 

you and to put you in mind of me and the Tiber — which 

I have exchanged for the Tagus — I wish you were here 

to tell me what to think — 

I want your advice more than ever. Let me hear from 

you, and give my best compliments to Mrs. Cooper — 

believe me, 

Yours very truly 

Elizabeth Anne 

Russell 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

April loth [1833] 
It is a long while since I had the pleasure to see you, 
my dear friend. I expected to meet you that evening But 
you were not there, the S. Carolina storm is over, this is 
the grand affair, as to minor Concerns I am sorry to hear 
my old friend Edward Livingston Has declined Coming 
to france. the speaker of the H. R. Mr. Stevenson will 
probably go to England. Mr. Leavitt Harris is presented 
to the Senate as charge des affaires to france. 

I inclose a Confidential letter from our friend Morse 
with a paper accompanying it. the treaty, after a protest 
for the first payment, Has been laid before the House, 
the Bureaux are to meet to name a Committee, it ought to 
Have been done immediately, it is now on to-morrow's 
order of the day. General Sebastian told me He would 
Refrain from speaking on the occasion. Victor Broglie 
will talk in Behalf of the treaty. I Have been told Some 
Ministerial deputies Mean to attak it. I Have been told 
also that Many people are Rubbing their Hands in the 
fond expectation that affair will through some Unpopu- 
larity Upon me, and so government people are saying 
ever}^ where That Had it not Been for my overBearing 
influence they should Have settled the treaty as twelve or 



3i6 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1833 

fifteen millions. You know I do not care for these trifling 
criticisms and dont doubt upon the whole of the passage 
of the transaction. I shall not accuse myself for this as for 
the affair of the York. 

With the most friendly regards to the family, I am 
Your affectionate 

friend 

Lafayette 

FROM PETER JAY 

New York, 14 May, 1833. 
Dear oir, 

We saw a good deal of the Marquis C. Torrigiani, who 
brought a letter from you. He is a modest well informed 
young man, a liberal in his politics, and is much pleased 
with New York. He has gone South. He seemed aston- 
ished at the absence of Beggars and Soldiers, and at the 
immense business which is doing here. You will yourself 
be surprized when you return at the latter circumstance. 
The Cargoes of ten Indiamen loaded with tea have been 
sold here this spring by auction within one fortnight and 
without lowering the price of that article. Another Cargo 
is still kept out of the market in expectation of a rise. 
This city has become the great place of import for the 
whole union. It has I believe nearly doubled since you 
have been in Europe. Its population cannot be less than 
220,000 besides Brooklyn, which contains 12,000. If we 
can but remain united for another Generation this Coun- 
try will be a power which the Europeans will cease to 
sneer at, tho' they may not cease to dislike us. The storm 
from Carolina has passed over with much thunder and 
little damage. There is however a very bad spirit remain- 
ing in that state, and Georgia, N. Carolina, and Virginia 
are partially infected by it. The agitators are exerting 



1833] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 317 

themselves to create discord and break up the union ; this 
was to be expected, because nothing but agitation can 
preserve their influence. A Separation might make them 
little kings or Dictators, concord and content must be 
fatal to them. The conduct of the President in relation 
to the Carolina affair was I think firm, temperate, and 
wise, and ought to atone for many errors. It was unex- 
pected because very different from the Spirit of his pro- 
ceedings respecting Georgia. Our Governments often 
play the fool and I suppose are not more honest than those 
in other parts of the world. Yet with all their faults, we 
are the freest and most prosperous people on the Globe, 
and ought to be abundantly more thankful than we are 
for the blessings we receive from a beneficent providence. 

When shall we see the Headsman of Berne'? 

Believe me my dear Sir with sincere regard 
Your friend and servant 

Peter Augustus Jay. 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq*", Paris 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Saturday 
I have this day received a Card, my dear friend, 
stamped with the three farewell initials. Shall I see you 
Before You go? 

I am Better, and fit to talk a little and to Hear much, 
and However affected far Beyond what sickness can pro- 
duce I would enjoy a great gratification in Your kind 
visit. 

Most affectionately 
Yours 
Lafayette 
A Monsieur Cooper, a paris 



3i8 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1833 

FROM MR. AND MRS. JOHN LOUDON McADAM 

Office of Roads 
Penrith, Cumberland 

29 June, 1833 
My dear Sir 

I found your letter of 21** Instant on my arrival here 
last night. Mrs. McAdam and I are very sorry that we 
had departed before your arrival in London, particularly 
as the periods were so near; we left Hoddesdon on the 
18 of June. 

My duties will delay me in Scotland, most probably, 
until late in the Autumn, so that we have no chance of 
having the satisfaction of seeing you unless we should 
meet in Edinburgh, where I must be several times, per- 
haps, in the course of the summer. In Edinburgh I shall 
be at Simpson's Hotel in Queen Street; if in the neigh- 
borhood they will be able to inform you where I am, and 
a letter addressed to me as above will always find me 
wherever I may be. Mrs. McAdam asks leave to add a 
line. I am 

My dear Sir yours faithfully 

Jn. Loudon McAdam 
James Fenimore Cooper Esq'', London 

My dear Mr. Cooper, 

I cannot allow my husband's letter to depart without 
expressing my hope that we may meet in Edinburgh, as 
that appears now to be our only chance of seeing you, as 
Mr. Mc Adam's business in Scotland renders our visit- 
ing Havre impossible. How much I regret that Susan 
should leave Europe without our seeing each other, it is 
impossible to say; it is indeed a most grievous disappoint- 
ment, and I hate either to think or write about it. You 



1833] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 319 

must not be very angry if I own I have ever hoped that 
she would find some attraction to induce her to remain in 
Europe that something belonging to my sister might be 
near me. I plead guilty to its having been a selfish feel- 
ing, and I am punished as I dare say I deserve, and as 
selfishness ought always to be by the disappointment of 
its unreasonable wishes. However, I am most desirous to 
hear all the gossip about all your family, so pray think 
Edinburgh worth seeing. I will venture to assure you 
will find it worth your journey. Give my kindest love to 
your Wife when you write, and believe me always, my 
dear Mr. Cooper, 

Yours most truly 

A. C. Mc— 

FROM S. F. B. MORSE 

New York, Aug^* 9th, 1833 
My Dear Sir, 

I am just packing up for a jaunt to Boston, Ports- 
mouth, etc., and have just time to enclose a few para- 
graphs from the papers relating to the controversy^ which 
may now be considered as at an end. The attempt to make 
the impression on the public mind that you were mortified 
at the literary criticism of your works has entirely failed; 
this was undoubtedly the first impression, but the tide has 
turned against the Editors. New York is too absorbed in 
commerce for you to reside here with any comfort; in 
Boston or Philadelphia you are more appreciated, but in 
the latter you will probably find more sympathies than in 
the former place. You will see that our friend Mr. Rives 
has had a personal rencontre with a friend in Virginia in 
which were the usual ingredients of hard words, nose 
pulling, horse whipping, and public explanations. I know 



320 CORRESPONDENCE OF QSss 

not which of the parties were to blame. I saw Niles the 
other day; I did not ask him how he and his master hap- 
pened to make so bungling a treaty, or at least one so 
badly kept, so wretchedly evaded. There is some mystery 
thereabouts which you may possibly unravel. I shall send 
this by the Delaware 74, which sails next week with Mr. 
Livingston for Havre. Mr. L. will perhaps put matters 
to rights, at the court of Louis Philippe in regard to U. S. 

My Picture, c'est fini; I shall be glad to show it to 
you: perhaps I may sell it to the Bostonians; may I not 
for 2500 dollars *? 

Our country is prospering beyond all precedent, every 
thing is thriving, commerce, manufactures, agriculture; 
in the latter the crops, rich, are promising a most copious 
harvest. There is no country on earth like our own. If we 
did but properly appreciate the blessings we enjoy, we 
should be the happiest. — But Good bye. I hope to see 
you in the autumn. Remember me with sincere respect 
and regards to your good lady and daughters and believe 
me 

as ever faithfully yours 

S. F. B. Morse 
James F. Cooper, Esq*", Paris 

TO CAROLINE DE LANCEY, NEW YORK 

London, Sept. 16th, 1833 
My dear Caroline, 

This letter goes by the Philadelphia, the ship which 
will sail from here to-morrow, and from Portsmouth the 
20th. We have taken our passages in the Samson, the 
ship which will sail on the 28th from London, and on the 
1st October from Portsmouth. We shall be ten days 
behind the ship that will bring this letter, as respects 



18333 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 321 

sailing, and probably about that time after her in arriv- 
ing. Of this, however, you can judge by inquiring as to 
the length of the Philadelphia's passage, and the way she 
had the wind for the first ten days. Mr. Leslie the cele- 
brated painter goes in the Philadelphia, and as Mr. 
Morse knows him intimately, he can easily make the 
inquiry for you. 

I hope you will have got possession of the house before 
you receive this letter. As soon after as possible write me 
a note with the address, and send it to the bar of the City 
Hotel. When we arrive I will call there, and then we will 
go directly to the house. We hope to sleep in our own 
house the first night. I bring four servants with me, and 
of course we shall be ready to commence immediately. 
Susan thinks it would have been better to buy carpets 
with small, confused Turkish figures, as they are more 
the fashion, but I am afraid it is now too late. 

The arrival of the Samson at the Hook will probably 
be known some hours before we can get up to town. 
Should you hear of it, it will be well to have the fires 
lighted, and preparations made for the next meal, let it be 
which it may. An easterly wind for two or three days, any 
time after the 25th October, may bring us in. We hope to 
arrive before the 5th November, but favorable winds 
might bring us in several days sooner. Of all this you will 
judge by the passages of the ships that precede us, and by 
the direction of the winds after the Philadelphia gets in. 
When we crossed from Paris to London, I wrote to 
have lodgings taken, and directed a servant to be in wait- 
ing at Hyde Park Corner with the address, and that 
experiment succeeded so well that I have great hopes of 
the success of this. The Samson seems a good ship, and 
I think her officers and crew promise well. I believe Mr. 



322 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1833 

Rutherford is to be our fellow passenger. The Warrens 
and Jim Ogden go home in the Caledonia. We shall go 
on board the ship in the docks here, in order to escape the 
expense and fatigue of a journey by land. 

Your sister will write by the Caledonia^ and as she will 
sail the same day as ourselves you may look for us soon 
after you get it. She will probably get in before us, but 
not more than a day or two, I trust. If you and Martha 
could take possession of the house at once it would be all 
the better. 

I beg you will say nothing of all this, but let us step 
in as quietly as possible. 

The cholera has left London, but we have got so accus- 
tomed to it that we feel little uneasiness at its presence. 
It has been worse here this year than it was the last, but 
little was said about it. We are all well, the ladies making 
faces at what is to come. We shall have three state-rooms 
en suite^ built expressly for us, and near the centre of the 
ship, so that I hope the maladie de mer will not be killing. 

Adieu, dear Caroline 
a vous 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

FROM LORD LANSDOWNE 

Lansdowne House 
Saturday 
My dear Sir 

I have sent a card to-day to ask the favor of your com- 
pany to dine with us on Monday sennight; permit me to 
add that should you be engaged on that day, or should it 
be more agreeable to you, we should be equally happy in 
the pleasure of your company on Thursday in the same 
week. 



18333 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 323 

It would be a real mortification to me if I had not the 
pleasure of receiving you in this house previous to your 
departure, tho' I trust it is not yet very near. 

believe me 
your very faithful Servt 

Lansdowne. 
F. Cooper, Esq., St. James Place. 

FROM W. B. SHUBRICK 

Baltimore, 25*^ Oct., 1833 
My dear Cooper 

If I have not been the first nor among the first of your 
friends to bid you welcome to your native land, you will 
I am sure do me the justice to believe that I am not the 
least sincere — I rejoice that we are once more on the same 
side of the "big pond" and I long to learn what are your 
arrangements, that I may form some estimate of the time 
when and the place where we are to meet. Mrs. Shubrick 
in anticipation of your arrival wrote some weeks since to 
M""^ Cooper; if she has not received the letter you will 
find it in the office in New York. The time that you have 
been abroad has made great changes, in everything that 
meets the eye; to us they have been gradual and almost 
unperceived, but will strike you with great force; even in 
your own New York, you will scarcely recognize some of 
the places with which you were most familiar, and, trav- 
eller as you are, it will take you some time to feel quite 
at home, but whatever physical changes you may perceive 
around you, there has been no moral change in the hearts 
of your friends, at least I can answer for some of them 
that no day has passed, without your being remembered 
and the time of your return has been looked forward to 
with constant longing. 



324 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 1:1833 

I have just finished The Headsman^ and I only echo 
the common opinion among the reading world here when 
I say that it has added greatly to your already enviable 
reputation; after the first half of the first volume I read 
it with breathless anxiety, and you know I am not very 
excitable. 

I have ten thousand things to say to you about things 
public and private, but am a bad writer and cannot put 
them on paper. — What chance is there of your heading 
your steps this way'? if nothing else brings you you must 
pay your respects to King Andrew — I have a bed and 
plate always ready for you. 

The newspapers in announcing your arrival said noth- 
ing about your family; we take it for granted however 
that they are with you, and all unite in most affectionate 
greetings to them, to which yi^^ Shubrick and Mary add 
their love to you. 

I am as ever, dear Cooper, 

Your sincere friend 

W. B. Shubrick 

Commodore Shubrick, U. S. N., was a Hfe-long and intimate 
friend of Cooper's. 



PART THIRD 

Covering the time between October^ J^^SSi ^^^ July 7, 
1842^ which includes the period of Cooper's libel suits; a 
short residence in New York City and the first years of his 
residence at Otsego Hall^ Coopers town; ending with the 
arbitration of the question of the accuracy of his Naval 
History. 

During these years were written The Monikins; 
Homeward Bound; Home as Found; History of the 
Navy of the United States; The Pathfinder; Mercedes 
of Castile; The Deerslayer; The Two Admirals; and 
numerous books of travel., biographies^ and minor articles. 



1833-184^ 



FROM VARIOUS FRIENDS 



Si 



New York, Nov. 1833 



ir 



A number of your iormer friends, pleased with your 
return among them, are desirous of testifying to you the 
continuance of their friendship, of the respect in which 
they hold your talents, and of their approbation of your 
manly defence, while abroad, of the Institutions of our 
Country. 

They therefore beg your acceptance of a Dinner at 
such time as shall be agreeable to you. 



Gideon Lee 
P. A. Jay 
Thomas Morris 
Henry Ogden 
C. A. Davis 
M. M. Noah 
George P. Morris 
J. E. De Kay 

C. P. Clinch 

D. E. Ludlow 
J. Delafield 

J. Anderson 
Robt. W. Weir 
W. Gracie 
James Campbell 
John W. Francis 



Robt. Emmett 
Dudley Selden 
J. Morton 
Wm. T. McCoun 
Samuel Swarthout 
J. Aug. Smith 
J. Van Rensselaer 
C. C. Cambreleng 
Wm. C. Bryant 
Jacob Harvey 
F. G. Halleck 
Wm. Sampson 
James G. King 
W. B. Lawrence 
Wm. J. MacNevin 



328 CORRESPONDENCE OF QSaa 

TO WILLIAM SKINNER, BALTIMORE 

New York, 15th Nov., 1833 
Dear Sir, 

I am very sensible of your friendly attention in remem- 
bering us so early after our arrival. My daughter will 
take an early occasion to thank Mrs. Skinner, whose invi- 
tation she will not however be able to accept, as a large 
connexion, all of which appear glad to see us, will keep 
the whole family (myself excepted) in New York this 
winter. I shall probably have some curiosity to see Wash- 
ington this winter, and shall have the pleasure of seeing 
you, of course. 

I never expected, my dear Sir, to be thanked for up- 
holding American principles in face of the enemy. The 
truth will be understood some day, I make no doubt, but 
short as has been my residence here since our return, I 
have seen enough to be satisfied that, with the majority 
of those who affect to have opinions, anti-American senti- 
ments are in more favor than American. The heart of the 
nation, however, is sound, or else God knows what would 
become of us. If I were anxious for popularity I should 
cut my throat in despair, but thinking, acting and reason- 
ing for myself I endeavor to make the best of it. I have 
been but once in what may be called society since my 
return, and then I was attacked by a man young enough 
to be my son and who was never out of sight of the smoke 
of his father's chimney, for thinking like an American; 
I am no longer surprised that such books are written 
about us. — But I sicken of this ungrateful subject. 

My old friend Capt. Shubrick is in Baltimore and I 
hope to find you, him and others of my friends in Balti- 



1833:] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 329 

more glad to see me on my way south. Until then I wish 
you and Mrs. Skinner adieu. 

Very truly yours, 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

TO MRS. COOPER, NEW YORK 

Washington, 10th Dec, 1833 
Dearest Sue, 

Shubrick and myself got here last night. The town is 
much improved, and, if it were compact, would be a 
pleasant residence. Ogden is with me. I am getting on in 
the affair, and after looking about me a little, shall be 
ready to return to you. To-morrow I see the President, 
at twelve. Harris is here, and I have just heard that he 
lives at the ordinary on account of his love of the people I 

The taverns are good, the living excellent. It is not 
true that I do not like the Mansion House. I had a bad 
room at first, but afterwards an excellent one. It is a good 
house. The rail-roads are delightful; the steam-boats 
magnificent, the tables groaning, and the people respect- 
able in an eminent degree. 

Shubrick is impatient, and I have only time to say 
good bye. Write to his wife. Embrace all of the children, 
and beg them to think of me as of theirs and yours most 
tenderly. Adieu. I shall write again in three days, and 
give you my impressions. Very affectionately yours, 

J. F. C. 

TO MRS. COOPER, NEW YORK 

Philadelphia, Dec. nth, 1833 
My dearest Sue, 

I have not seen many people. Mather has called to see 
me, and a Dr. Harris — voila tout. On the other hand I 



330 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1833 

have been to see Mrs. Banyer and Miss Jay twice, Mr. 
Brown, who is much better — and a few old friends. 

I see by to-day's American that Mr. King and Mr. 
Gould have renewed their attack. I have sent a card to 
Walsh stating my determination to answer, as soon as I 
am at home. It has become necessary, and it is a duty to 
myself I can no longer neglect. A plain dignified state- 
ment of the facts is all that is required. 

I dine with Carey to-day, where I believe I am to meet 
Walsh and your brother, with a few others. Every body 
is full of the message and the Bank and a variety of other 
questions of which you and I, my love, know nothing. 

N. B. I sup to-night with Dr. and Mrs. De Lancey. 

Your brother has just left me, it is two o'clock, and I 
must dress for dinner ! I am getting a regular three o'clock 
stomach. 

Give my love to the girls and Paul, and receive every 
kind assurance for yourself. 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

TO THE REV. DR. DE LANCEY, PHILADELPHIA 

New York, Dec. 20th, 1833 
Dear Sir, 

I found the railroad perfectly good, and I have no 
doubt this sort of travelling, head for head, is safer than 
the old way. There is great care taken, and men are 
stationed along the whole line to give notice of any 
impediment. The gale was very severe, but I reached 
home to dinner, or before six. 

We understand that Mrs. Munro is in town, and Mrs. 
Cooper intends to go and see her to-morrow. Mrs. De 
Lancey and your sisters are quite well, though Caroline 
has been getting teeth pulled, an unpleasant affair at the 



1834: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 331 

best, and at her time of life a little premature. We have 
no news here. Every body is talking of money, or rather 
of no money, but that is to be expected in a place like 
this, where the first effort of every body is to make money, 
and the second to spend it. Your big bank makes but an 
indifferent figure in the report of the Government direc- 
tors, and I begin to believe that hickory [General Jack- 
son] will prove to be stronger than gold [the United 
States Bank]. 

Mrs. Cooper and the girls desire to be remembered to 
Mrs. De Lancey, and Paul sends a hundred incoherent 
messages to the boys. 

I am, dear sir. 

Yours very truly, 

J. Fenimore Cooper, 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Paris, Feb. 6, 1834 
I may seem to have treated you badly, my dear Cooper, 
though such has been far from my thought, for we often 
speak of you and of your charming family; but through 
wishing to do too well what you requested, I have done 
nothing worth the while. It must be too late to write you 
now on this subject. Chodzko has left France, persecuted 
by the government. I have not yet been able to collect 
the fifteen hundred francs due our Committee from the 
French Committee. General Dwernicke assures me from 
time to time that within a fortnight he will have your 
money. I will see to all that as soon as I leave my bed, 
where a slight illness, due to fatigue resulting from the 
funeral of our poor colleague and friend Dulong, has 
kept me for several days, which is the reason that I am 
dictating instead of writing. 



332 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1833 

Our American treaty has been presented, and is now 
in the hands of a committee who will, I hope, without 
delay report it favorably. These are troublous times for 
Europe and for France. For some time changes in the 
Ministry have been looked for, but behold! a reconcilia- 
tion. The Chamber, and above all the opposition, have 
been much disturbed by an unfortunate event, the details 
of which you will see in the papers. The Paris Journal 
and Debats have made themselves Court advocates. This 
has become an affaire du Chateau. I would speak of the 
unfortunate duel in which our excellent colleague and 
friend Dulong, adopted son of Dupont (General) has 
been killed by General Bugeaud, who applied to himself 
the epithet gaoler^ uttered by Dulong from his bench. My 
son who was one of his seconds, had the unhappiness to 
see him fall, with a ball in his head at thirty-five paces. 
I shall not enter into details and imprecations that you 
will find in various papers — the funeral of poor Dulong 
was one of the greatest popular demonstrations that I 
have seen in Paris. I will send you two numbers of the 
'National in which the facts are correctly given. The ac- 
counts with which I have been deluged by this immense 
population have touched me all the more, from their 
being a manner of saying to me, "you have been deceived 
but this misfortune has not shaken our confidence in you." 
You see that the three great Northern Powers cement 
their friendship, their strength, their schemes as regards 
the East and the West, and above all their war on liberty 
and patriotism — some Polish and Italian refugees, driven 
by despair, have made an attempt, the failure of which 
is announced in the Moniteur. We await further news. 

The Cabinets of London, of the Tuileries highly ap- 
prove the despotic proclamation of Queen Isabella, and 



1834] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 333 

the consequent government of Mr. Zea. The Spanish 
patriots have not so much as thought, they have arrived 
at the Martinez de la Rosa point, and may well go much 
further. 

All my family join me in kindest regards for you and 
yours. 

Lafayette 

TO MRS. GEORGE POMEROY 

New York, March 28th, 1834 
My dear Sister, 

Mr. Phinney gave me your letter last evening. He 
found me suffering with a tooth-ache, the penalty of not 
using the proper nut-crackers, and an unusual complaint 
for me. It has compelled me to keep house to-day, but 
to-morrow I hope to get out in order to see him. 

Richard first gave me some insight into the situation 
of Mrs. S. Cooper. Until then I supposed she had a small 
income of some five or six hundred a year, and, though 
greatly reduced, by no means in distress. Still he did not 
represent the case as bad, by any means, as it appears to 
be by your statement. I sent her a small sum immediately, 
and, while in my power, I shall certainly continue to 
assist her. My own means are very limited, the little 
property of Mrs. Cooper being entirely her own, and 
quite out of my power, and, as you know, our habits and 
situation require a considerable expenditure. My income, 
as a writer, has been considerable, nor have my expenses 
been any thing like what vulgar report, a notorious liar, 
has probably made them. Still I have had large sums to 
pay, for which I never received any benefit, and a great 
portion of my earnings has been swallowed up by the 



334 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1834 

defalcations of other people. These have left me but a 
very small disposable capital, which I am endeavoring 
to turn to as good an account as possible. The result is 
uncertain, though the prospects are not bad. I think my 
income this year will warrant me in saying that I will 
carry Mrs. Cooper through until next spring, before 
which time we can enter into some definitive arrangement. 
I would have her, therefore, remain where she is, if agree- 
able to herself, and should there arise any sudden demand 
for money, I will pay her draft for a hundred dollars, 
any time after the 1st July. I do not like to bind myself 
legally to any annuity, but I should hope it will be in 
my power to continue, as much as you have mentioned, 
two hundred a year to her, as long as we both live, but 
this will depend altogether on my own earnings. As a 
writer I have now done, and in the event of my death, 
my own daughters, who, though educated with proper 
notion of economy, have the habits of their class, would 
require all that both I and their mother could leave them, 
for a mere maintenance. Thank God, I am still young, 
and in the full vigor of both mind and body, and I do 
not see but some gentlemanly and suitable competence 
may yet offer to take the place of that from which I am 
driven by my own country. In the last event, I can return 
to Europe, and continue to write, for in that quarter of 
the world I am at least treated with common decency. 
It is not improbable that such will be the denouement. 

I beg you will communicate to Mrs. Cooper her 
authority to draw as mentioned. It is probable, however, 
that I shall hand her the money myself, in the course of 
the summer. This affair should not be spoken of, for it 
may prevent some of her other friends from aiding her, 
and surely two hundred dollars is a miserable pittance 



18343 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 335 

for such a famil}^ I would gladly double it, if in my 
power. 

I pray you to spare the pastry and all other eatables. 
Dick and I have much business together, and I have 
promised to stay with him, but I now think I shall beg 
a room of Mrs. S. Cooper, as it may be a good pretext 
for giving her assistance. We must quit our present resi- 
dence the 1st of May, the house being sold, and, should 
the weather be good, we shall go up the Hudson, I think, 
immediately. The young ladies vote for Lake George, 
and Mrs. Cooper for the banks of the river, but we are 
quite uncertain as to our movements for the summer. I 
think it must be somewhere within the range of steam- 
boats or railroad. Let the family go where it may, I shall 
be in Cooperstown in the course of all May, until when 
I kiss your fair hands. 

Yours very affectionately 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

Mrs. Pomeroy was Anna Cooper, daughter of Judge William 
Cooper and elder sister of James Fenimore Cooper. (Cooper's 
other sister, Hannah, was killed in her twenty-second year by a 
fall from a horse.) Anna married George Pomeroy of Coopers- 
town, in which village she lived to a very advanced age. 

Mrs. S. Cooper was the widow of one of Cooper's brothers. 

FROM LAFAYETTE 

Paris April 14th. 1834 
My dear friend 

I Have not Had the pleasure to Hear directly from 
You since Your arrival at New York and am Afraid 
You will charge me with Remissness altho' we Have 



336 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1834 

Been, my children and myself, constantly thinking and 
talking of You and family. 

You may Have Heard that, after a solemn and one 
of the most numerously attended Burials, on account of 
My colleague and friend dulong killed in a political duel 
By Gen. Bugeaud, a circumstance which was accompanied 
with the greatest testimonies of popular affection in my 
Behalf, I Have Been for upwards of two months con- 
fined to my Bed and Room; nor Have I Hope to Be 
Restored to Health under two or three weeks altho' there 
is no doubt of my total recovery. What I could do in the 
House, as to the affair of the treaty, Has Been com- 
pleatly performed By communications with certain mem- 
bers called By me. By the declaration of which the in- 
closed is a copy, and By that of my son at the [illegible], 
nay, some central jealousies of my influence might Have 
lost a few votes without gaining one more. I think, and on 
previous consultation it Has been and is still thought I 
did for the Best. 

My vexation and disappointment, to say no more, you 
will easily conceive. Many people Have Run away with 
the parliamentary idea to operate a change in administra- 
tion, part of whose members. By the way. Have Been 
far from giving a proper support to duke de Broglie. But 
upon the past, present, and future of this Unhappy affair, 
upon which several members now repeal their vote, it 
Behoves me to wrap myself in the cloak of my discontent 
and grief. 

I would Have writen to You sooner Had I not every 
day expected to Recover your Hundred dollars, the pole 
french committee who are penny less Have Not yet Re- 
turned that Borrowed Sum, originally appropriated By 
us to poor Chodzko who Has Been obliged to leave f ranee 



1834] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 337 

and is now languishing in a corner of England, as is said 
to me for I Have not directly Heard from Him. 
[Illegible] Has assured me He was from week to week 
expecting a sum of money from poland. the probability of 
which appears to me, of late, to Be greater than it Had 
Been formerly. But until You are actually Repaid I shall 
not cease to attend your concern. 

Another publication Relative to our taxation Contest 
Has Been issued By my grand son in law. it Has ap- 
peared in the Revue des deux Mondes and copies dis- 
tributed, namely to the members of the House. No Reply 
Has Been attempted; our adversaries seem at last to con- 
fess themselves Beaten. 

I am Happy You took up early this matter and shall 
ever rejoice to find Americans assuming the existence of 
a political civilization far superior to European institu- 
tions and Civic Habits. Besides the dignity of National 
character, I really think that the publication of conces- 
sion on those constitutional points would Render a Bad 
service to countries where they Happen to Be visitors, as 
it is fit that what I call the American 'Era the American 
school, should Be the polar star of nations pretending to 
freedom. I Have Read the memoirs of a distinguished 
statesman to whose memory I am Bound By the sense 
of an early friendship and affectionate gratitude for the 
great services He Has rendered in the most dangerous 
times, to my wife and children. Yet I cannot deny that 
His communications with the Royal family, representing 
me as an ultra democrat and republican even for the 
meridian of the United States, were among the numerous 
causes which encouraged them in their opposition to my 
advice and the tide of public opinion, for my part I 
Have, in the course of my long life, ever experienced that 



338 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1834 

distance, instead of Relaxing does enliven and Brace my 
sentiment of American pride. 

French papers of several opinions will inform you that 
the liberties and quiet of this country are in an unsettled 
situation, the Anti Association Bill could not But Have 
a Bad effect, there Has Been at Lyons a Battle Between 
the Mechanics and the Regiments of the line which Has 
lasted four days. The insurrection was it is said van- 
quished; a Handful of discontented people, Have ap- 
peared in arms last night and this morning at paris; they 
Have Been over powered By an immense superiority of 
force, not without much blood shed, altho' not equal By 
far to the Lyonese collision, it appears that illiberal Bills, 
and measures are now preparing at Court. I am not sure 
the troubles at Lyons are so entirely settled as govern- 
ment tells us. 

Adieu, my dear Sir, Remember us all to Your family 
and Believe 

me for ever Your affectionate friend 

Lafayette 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq., New York 

FROM PIERRE JEAN DAVID 

May 15, 1834 
My dear Sir, 

I take advantage of this opportunity to recall myself 
to your memory. I have always availed myself to the ut- 
most of every occasion of hearing of you, and was most 
pleased to know that you had had a very prosperous 
voyage. Often, in imagination, I visit your land of Free- 
dom, and while this dream lasts I am happy, but the 
awakening is very cruel — however, there are noble hearts 



18343 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 339 

still, who are determined to carry on the struggle to their 
last breath. 

I am working hard, trying to tinish immediately the 
pediment of the Pantheon. In a few days I wish to 
exhibit my statue of a little girl, which is to be placed 
over the grave of Botzaritz in Greece. It has been ac- 
cepted by the government. I have added something which 
I believe will strengthen the symbolism, it is the Phryg- 
ian cap, thus she will be the child liberty, who exalts 
the great name of a hero who has died to defend her. 

We shall start on our trip to Germany, after my statue 
of Comeille has been unveiled at Rouen (in July). 

Our brave General Lafayette recovers slowly from his 
last attack, which was brought on by the emotion which 
overcame him at the funeral of Dulong. I doubt if it 
would be possible to witness a more powerful expression 
of public opinion — there were at least a hundred thou- 
sand people in the cemetery, and all the acclamations, all 
the expressions of enthusiasm were for our worthy gen- 
eral. It is a great lesson, and should cause certain men to 
reflect. 

I seize the welcome opportunity which Mr. Lovering 
has obtained for me to remind you of your kind promise to 
write to me occasionally. You are one of the men that it 
would be cruel to be forgotten by. 

I beg that you will give my kind remembrances to Mrs. 
Cooper and the young ladies. 

Your faithful and devoted 

David 

TO MRS. COOPER, NEW YORK 

Canajoharie, Thursday Evening, June I2th [1834] 
Dearest Sue, 

On returning to the inn I made an arrangement to go 



340 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1834 

in the same car with Mrs. Perkins and her party to 
Schenectady, and thence to this place in an extra, which 
is a sort of posting. We were well served, no delays, not 
longer, in France, than a hundred miles from Paris, and 
got here, 56 miles from Albany, at six o'clock. This place 
is redolent of youth. It is now sixteen years since I was 
here. Roof's tavern, which I remember from childhood, 
is still standing, altered to Murray's, and the road winds 
round it to mount to Cherry Valley as in old times. But 
the house is no longer solitary. There is a village of some 
six or eight hundred souls, along the banks of the canal. 
The bridges and boats and locks give the spot quite a 
Venetian air. The bridges are pretty and high, and boats 
are passing almost without ceasing. Twenty certainly 
went by in the half hour I was on them this evening. I 
have been up the ravine to the old Frey house. It looks 
as it used to do in many respects, and in many it is 
changed for the worse. The mills still stand before the 
door, the house is, if anything, as comfortable and far 
finer than formerly, but there is a distillery added, with 
a hundred or two fat hogs as one would wish to see. I 
enjoyed the walk exceedingly. It recalled my noble- 
looking, warm-hearted father, with his deep laugh, sweet 
voice and fine rich eye, as he used to lighten the way with 
his anecdote and fun. Old Frey, with his little black 
peepers, pipe, hearty laugh, broken English, and warm 
welcome was in the background. I went to the very spot 
where one of the old man's slaves amused Sam and myself 
with the imitation of a turkey, some eight and thirty years 
since ; an imitation that no artist has ever yet been able to 
supplant in my memory. There was an old Dutchman on 
the road, and I asked him about the Freys. The Colo- 
nels—dead. The Major?— dead. Phil?— dead. Harry 



18343 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 341 

the grandson'? — dead. Without children'? No, there was 
young Phil, a youth of two and thirty, and young Harry, 
the great grandchildren; but they were too modern for 
me. And there was Squire Harry's widow! Frey Cox? — 
living and poor. You are a relation probably? — No; only 
a very old friend. Are you of these parts? No, I am from 
Otsego — a Cooper from Cooperstown. The old Dutch- 
man bowed, eyed me sharply, and muttered, "Ah — you 
are a Cooper I" I thought he spoke respectfully as if he 
remembered the time when the name had influence in this 
region. I lifted my hat to him, and we parted. 

The country looks well. The great abundance of wood 
gives it a charm that no country possesses that we have 
yet seen. The road is worse than The Pave on the whole, 
though not much worse. I should think canal travelling, 
in a boat that is not crowded, must be pleasant. 

I leave here at eight in the morning for Cherry Valley. 
How I am to get to Cooperstown I do not yet know, but 
suppose there can be no difficulty. You shall hear the 
result very soon. 

The valley of the Mohawk is prettyish, but not much 
more. Here and there the Yankees have got in and 
wrought a change, but on the whole it is less changed 
than I anticipated. The canal gives the villages a more 
finished and European look than they formerly had. I 
believe I asked a dozen boatmen this evening questions 
touching their voyages, and in every instance I met with 
civil, prompt, and intelligent answers. In one instance a 
man misunderstood my question and answered wrong; 
then, recollecting himself, he walked the length of his 
boat to correct himself. Every hour I stay at home con- 
vinces me more and more that society has had a summer- 
set, and that the elite is at the bottom I 



342 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1834 

Adieu, my love. Tell Paul Tom Perkins behaved very 
well. Kiss the girls and the boy, and believe me 

as ever your 

J. F. C. 

TO MRS. COOPER, NEW YORK 

Cooperstown, Sunday [June] 15th, [1834] 

Dearest Sue, 

On Friday morning I clambered up to Cherry Valley 
by a road of which you have some knowledge, and at 5 
o'clock I got into the Cooperstown stage. It was a little 
after dark when we reached the top of the mountain, but 
the descent was striking. Mrs. Pomeroy was standing in 
her door, with her house lighted, and other signs of prepa- 
ration. I was on the coach-box, but she did not recognize 
me. I went to Olendorf's and ordered my dinner. Mr. 
Pomeroy came for me, and I went and visited with them 
all that evening. The next day I went to Mrs. Pomeroy's 
and established myself. Richard's house is full of friends 
of his wife, and I had no means of avoiding it. I believe 
Mrs. Olendorf was bribed, for she appeared to wish to 
get rid of me. 

The village is greatly improved, and really is a very 
pretty place. The lake looks larger, the mountains lower 
than I had expected. The woods have been a good deal 
lacerated, but want of forest is not yet a defect of the 
scenery. The mansion house looks a good deal more 
dilapidated than I expected, and Isaac's house better. 
There are eight or ten good stone buildings in the village, 
which will, in time, be entirely built of stone. 

Averell is not here, and as yet, I have done nothing. 
On Tuesday I go to Binghamton. Dick is in his house, 
and his wife is a pretty, quiet little woman. 



1834] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 343 

The faces of the people are mostly strangers to me, 
though now and then I meet one that I know. The old 
inhabitants seem glad to see me. 

Write to me immediately^ and direct to Binghamton. 
I dine with Phinney to-day, to-morrow here, and where 
on Thursday, I know not. 

The Misses Cooper are well-behaved girls, and rather 
pretty. Mr. Comstock went off the night I arrived. He 
seems a respectable young man. Mrs. Cooper is very much 
broken, and is very much as she used to be, though less 
pretentious. All the Clarkes are in town, and Mrs. Clarke 
was at Mrs. Cooper's this morning when I called. I left 
my cheque, as promised. She is greatly in want of assist- 
ance. I am told that she lately received one of the most 
condoling letters possible from her sister, with a present 
of a little sugar and rice. They say The Morris is about 
to have another heir. I have paid most of my visits and 
been well received. I have delayed writing to the last 
moment and must conclude. My best love to all the chil- 
dren and to vour own dear self. 

J. F-C. 

The air is quite Swissish here and the country is very 
beautiful in its verdure. 

The trouble which Cooper had with certain of the residents 
of Cooperstown arose from two causes, in both of which he was 
right and had the sympathy of the better class of the residents. 
They were as follows : 

(1) Otsego Hall, the home of his father, Judge Cooper, stood 
in the centre of considerable grounds which formed a part of the 
central and most important village block, a very large one. The 
house itself was built directly across the line of Fair Street, which 
but for this fact would have been continued through the block. 

On the death of Judge Cooper's widow in 1818 the Hall was 



344 CORRESPONDENCE OF |:;i834 

closed and sold, as none of the heirs cared to take it at the valua- 
tion placed on it by the will of Judge Cooper. During the fifteen 
years which elapsed before Cooper bought it back in 1833, the 
people of the village had been in the habit of making a short cut 
across the grounds and around the house from one part of Fair 
Street to the other. Naturally Cooper stopped this when he came 
to live in the Hall, and was bitterly attacked by the type of 
resident, found in every community, that recognizes no private 
right which puts it to inconvenience. 

(2) The other dispute was even more unreasonable and was 
inspired by the same type of resident. In his will Judge Cooper 
left "Three Mile Point" on Otsego Lake to the youngest William 
Cooper living in 1850. Fenimore Cooper was administrator with 
the will annexed of his father ; on his return to Cooperstown after 
some years abroad he found that this point had been used by the 
residents of Cooperstown as a public picnic ground and that 
certain of them claimed the legal right so to use it. He had no 
choice in the matter, but was obliged to protect the title for the 
devisee under the will, and did so: the Point going in 1850 to 
a William Cooper, not a resident of the village. 

The facts of these two disputes were grossly contorted and 
seized upon by an unfriendly press for the purpose of attacking 
Cooper. 

FROM MARY SOMERVILLE 

Royal Hospital, Chelsea 

8th July, 1834 
My dear Sir 

May I request the kind attentions of Mrs. Cooper and 
you in behalf of my friend Miss Martineau, with whose 
fame and works I have no doubt you are acquainted. 
You will find her a most agreeable companion notwith- 
standing her unfortunate deafness, and I can assure you 
no one is more highly esteemed for her excellent qualities. 
Her principal object in going to America is to study 



1834] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 345 

schools, charities, the state of the poor, and in short every 
thing connected with the political economy of your coun- 
try ; should it be in your power to aid her in any way, I 
shall be truly obliged to you. 

After all your wanderings you must be delighted to 
return to your home and to the society of your country- 
men, yet I can easily imagine that a feeling of regret may, 
at times, arise when you think of the many friends you 
have left, and who so much regretted your departure — 
and one is gone for ever, the greatest and the best. To all 
who love whatever is noble, consistent, and good, the 
death of General Lafayette must be a source of the deep- 
est regret. 

My girls offer their kind remembrances to your daugh- 
ters, and Dr. Somerville unites with me in every good 
wish to them, to Mrs. Cooper, and to yourself, and be 
assured, my dear Sir, of the sincerity with which 

I am yours 

Mary Somerville 
Fenimore Cooper, Esq. 

FROM SAMUEL COOPER 

Cooperstown, Nov. 3rd, 1834 
Dear Uncle, 

This day commences the election in time too witness 
which, you will arrive in the city, not to witness, I hope 
any of those disgraceful riots or ebulition of a mohbish 
spirit in the heat of a contested election, which last Spring 
disrobed American elections of their peaceful character, 
With determined purpose to make their Democratic cause 
triumphant. 

I hope that the Jacksonians will beat the Wigs or 
Whigs most unmercifully (as they say here). If however 



346 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1834 

any thing extra ordinary should happen I would be 
obliged to you if you would be so good as to send me a 
letter too apprize me of the fact. Troskolaski continues 
his school and I think he improves in his studys. He still 
continues too fret keeping up his "O dear, dear, I do not 
know what I mak no money no cant do nothing. Damn." 
I have taken 4 papers from the Post Office and read them. 
All are well. No news from Green Bay. My love too 
all. 

Samuel Cooper 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq,, New York City 

FROM JOSEPH TROSKOLASKI 

Cooperstown, 26 9'^^'' 1834 
Sir I beg pardon for having troubled you with my 
letter, I dorit know what I shall do or what I shall make. 
Will you Sir please find me place I want cloak store 
Mr. Richerdson not like school any more and I dont 
know what I shall do here, Mr. Lee will not take me in 
his stores he thinks I had better make tailor or Hatter, 
Polish man not tailor or Hatter I will study what make 
me destinguisted when I go back to Poland, will you 
please find me place in Store, I for that cannot express 
my gratitude, you have bein very good to me — for that 
I am very thankful. 

Yours Respectfully, in humbly 

Joseph Troskolaski. 
J. Fenimore Cooper Esquire, New York 

FROM REMBRANDT PEALE 

New York; January, 1835. 
D. Sir 

May I request your attention to my little Book — 



1835] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 347 

studiously made little to do much good by general adop- 
tion. It is the result of 17 years' occasional study to 
accomplish a complete and effective analysis. 

If you can find it as I have intended it your approba- 
tion will not only be very gratifying to me, but advan- 
tageous to Education and the improvement of public 
taste. 

I trust you will not forget your promise to call at 
my Painting Room No. 60 Liberty St. My copy of 
Raphael's beautiful Madonna will at least revive some 
pleasant recollections of Florence. 

With great respect, 

I remain Yours 
Rembrandt Peale 

This letter follows a Circular advertising Peales Graphics, a 
Manual of Drawing and Writing for the use of Schools and 
Families. 



FROM A. VAIL 

London, 17th Feby., 1835 
Dear Sir, 

Though my personal acquaintance with you is too 
slight to authorize my asking a favor for myself, I feel 
that I may venture on asking one for a person who may 
be thought to have some claim to your notice. The young 
Princess Victoria is desirous of adding to her collection 
of Autographs those of some of our distinguished Coun- 
trymen, and has named you as one of those whose hand- 
writing she is anxious to possess. I have promised my 
agency in endeavoring to procure one, and trust that for 
the sake of my interesting client you will be disposed to 



348 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1835 

pardon the liberty I take of making her wish known to 
you. 

I am, dear Sir, with great respect, 
Your Obedt Svt 

A. Vail. 

FROM A. VAIL 

London, 22nd May 1835 
My dear Sir, 

I had the honor of receiving yesterday your very kind 

letter of the i.2th of last month, with a sheet of your MS. 

of The Bravo, as an Autograph from you for the Princess 

Victoria. There can be no doubt that if anything could 

add to the value of the gift, it will be the choice you have 

made of a paper so well calculated to enhance it in her 

eyes. It will initiate her, as you say, in the mysteries of 

authorship, and very agreeably carry her mind back to the 

pages of a book of which she and her mother have spoken 

in language which show that the labors of its author are 

no stranger to them. I will take an early opportunity of 

delivering it ; and know that I can beforehand assure you 

of the gratification it will afford my interesting client, as 

I do of my very great esteem and respect. 

A. Vail. 

J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq., New York 

FROM JOHN JOSEPH STOCKDALE 

London, 4 July, 1835 
bir. 

As an admirer, of such, of your talented, and highly 

interesting works, as I have perused, I assume the liberty, 

to address you; tho' not, from the mere, idle vanity, of 

writing to one, deservedly, preeminent in the world's 

temple of literature. 



1835II JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 349 

My object is, to propose one, other subject, for your 
fertile, instructive, and amusing pen. 

In my younger days, I was honored, by the intimacy 
of the first Marquis Townshend, a daily visitor, at my 
father's, attended by Mr. now, Sir, Frederic B, Watson, 
who has, long occupied a similar station, about the per- 
sons, of our late, and present kings, George IV, and 
William IV. 

Notwithstanding, the Marquis was old enough to be my 
grand-father, my peculiar zest for his trans-atl antic nar- 
ratives, delighted him so much that he gratified me, from 
time to time, by his entire, eventful history; one of, not 
the least impressive anecdotes of which, was that, of 
"Red-cap" — and, which, I subjoin, as nearly as possible 
in his lordship's own words. 

I cannot remember the name of the fortifications, of 
which General Townshend was going the rounds, in per- 
son, when he was, on a sudden violently seized, by one of 
his own centinels, who exclaimed, "down," at the same 
time, forcing him to bend. The general, at first, thought 
him-self betrayed : but, in another moment, was relieved, 
by the words. Red Cap, — there is Red Cap I 

Our General was a stranger to the term, of which, he 
desired an explanation. It appeared, that a man, who, 
from the constant wear, of a red cap, had acquired that 
cognomen, among the British troops, was an infallible 
mark's man, and picked-off every one, any part, however 
small, of whose person, caught his perilous eye. 

General Townshend, to verify the assertion, at the 
request of the centinel, suffered the general's military hat, 
to be placed, on the bayonet, of the centinel, who moved, 
gently with it, along the rampart. A ball, in an instant, 
perforated the unhappy hat. 



350 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1835 

This ordeal .removed all doubts, from the mind, of the 
General, who was, him-self, a keen sport's man, and, 
capital shot. He, accordingl}^ sent for his rifle, and, 
having ascertained, through an eye-let-hole, with his 
telescope, "Red-cap," on the look-out for another victim, 
fired, in his turn, and, confident of the result, sent a flag 
of truce, to enquire, how "Red-cap" did^ The answer 
was — he had been just killed, by a rifle-ball, which, I 
think, entered his eye I 

To this, I will add another anecdote, though I cannot 
assert its connection with the former. 

General Townshend was a much older officer, and held 
higher military rank, than the celebrated Wolfe, who, 
notwithstanding, was appointed to the chief command, 
and which induced considerable heart-burnings in the 
British service. Townshend was, not only very satirical, 
but possessed considerable talents, as a caricaturist, and 
sought every opportunity, to ridicule his commander-in- 
chief. After a mess-dinner immediately preceeding the 
battle of the heights of Abraham, wherein Wolfe fell, 
while quaffing their wine, Townshend, who sate, directly 
opposite to Wolfe, caricatured him, by a portrait, which 
admitted of no mistake, as drawing lines, of circumvalla- 
tion, round a privy. This caricature, Townshend gave, to 
the officer, on his left, and he passed it round, till half 
the table was in a roar, and it reached, the hands, of 
Wolfe, him-self. Wolfe's cool, and characteristic speech 
was — we must first, beat the enemy: it will, then, be time, 
enough, to settle these matters. — (glancing a severe look, 
at general Townshend). 

If you think my spare materials worthy your notice, I 
shall derive equal pride, and pleasure, in, hereafter, perus- 
ing a novel, from you, under the title, of ''Red-cap."" 



18353 JAMES FEN I MORE-COOPER 351 

I have the honor, to be, Sir, your respectful servant, 

John Joseph Stockdale. 
author, printer, and publisher. 
J. F. Cooper Esq. 

the Novelist, of the new world, etc., etc., etc. 
New York. 

Stockdale, a London bookseller, was the author of several 
volumes of sketches. 



FROM PIERRE JEAN DAVID 

Paris, 19 August, 1835 
My dear Mr. Cooper, 

I take advantage of the opportunity kindly offered me 
by Captain Robinson to send you a few lines. I have had 
no news of you for so long, except from the Americans 
who visit Paris. You must not thus forget your friends in 
France. A few words from you occasionally would assure 
them that they are not quite gone from your memory. 

I very much want to know what impression has been 
made by my statue of Jefferson, which they tell me has 
been set up in New York. While I was doing it, Mr. 
Levy made me give him my word of honor that I would 
not discuss it with any American. It is this promise which 
prevented my having the benefit of your good advice. 

You doubtless know all that is going on in politics in 
our France. We are rushing towards the restoration, 
which rejoices us other patriots, because it brings nearer 
the great events which must free us from the detestable 
bonds which have enchained us for many years. This will 
be the last scene in our great revolutionary drama. Many 
times our thoughts, Emily's and mine, turn towards your 



352 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1835 

land of liberty. We recall the happy hours passed in your 
agreeable society, we wish you every happiness, and hope 
that you have not quite forgotten us. 

Emily is very sorry that Captain Robinson's speedy 
departure leaves us so little time that she can not write 
to the Mesdames Cooper. She sends them affectionate 
remembrances. 

A thousand kind and tender remembrances from your 
affectionate 

David 

Please remember me to the ladies. 

(Translation.) 

FROM HENRY W. LONGFELLOW 

Copenhagen, September 23, 1835 
Dear Sir, 

During my residence in this city, I have become ac- 
quainted with a Mr. Riise, a "worthy Dane," who has 
translated many of your Romances into his mother- 
tongue. He has expressed to me a wish to forward a copy 
of some of them to you; and I have taken charge of the 
package. It will be sent in a box of books for Harvard 
University, and I shall request the Librarian, Dr. Harris, 
to send you the package by the earliest opportunity. 

I cannot forbear expressing to you the pride I have 
felt as an American in finding your honorable fame so 
wide-spread through the North, in Denmark, Norway 
and Sweden. You have struck a chord, which thrills 
rapturously in the hearts of these descendants of the 
ancient Sea-Kings; and Riise tells me that in Denmark 
your writings are more read than those of Scott; and not 
only read in the city, but among the peasantry of the 



18353 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 353 

land. This is true, substantial fame. God grant that you 
may long enjoy it I 

Pray excuse the liberty, which a stranger takes in thus 
addressing you. I should not intrude upon you, were it 
not for the very natural wish, which Mr. Riise has 
expressed, and which I have promised him to execute. 
I have the honor to be 

Very respectfully yours 

Henry W. Longfellow. 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq., New York. 

FROM SAMUEL ROGERS 

London, Dec* 25, 1835 
St. James's Place 
My dear Sir 

Pray accept my grateful acknowledgements for your 
kindness in every shape. The sugar-cake was most wel- 
come to old and young; and I need not say how highly I 
shall value the fragment of the farming journal. I wish 
I had any thing of equal value to send you in return. 

Pray tell Mrs. Cooper and the younger ones, who, I 
hope, are now christmassing merrily under your roof, that 
their message was not lost upon me, short as it was. 
Words, as you must have known full well, when you were 
four thousand miles from home, travel better than any 
thing, and come to the ear, and the heart too, loud and 
vast as the waves are that roll between us. 

You say you are not reckoned a first-rate writer in 
America. Pray let us know who your rivals are. 

We are dying to know. 

I was delighted with Dr. De Lancey and only lament 
that I saw so little of him. Pray, when you see him, re- 



354 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1836 

member me to him and his fellow-traveller. I hope he has 
found what he came so far in search of. It is indeed 
worth any labour. 

We have our tempests here and you have yours ; but I 
hope we shall all weather them. 

My Sister desires to be particularly remembered to 
Mrs. Cooper and yourself. I have a larger acquaintance 
in your house than she has, and pray say every thing from 
me to every one of them, not forgetting the least. 

Ever most truly Yours, 

Sam' Rogers. 

I inclose a letter from Lady Grey, who is now at 
Howick. 

FROM S. F. B. MORSE 

New York, May 27th, 1836 
My Dear Sir, 

I send you for your perusal the second edition of 
Maria Monk's disclosures; I think the additional matter 
is very important and conclusive of the truth of her story. 
The fact that she has accompanied her volume with a 
plan of all the rooms in the Convent is very strong in 
favor of her sincerity and integrity. Were she an impostor 
I cannot believe she would have dared to put forth a 
document of this kind, which, if materially incorrect, 
cannot fail in the course of a few days from its publica- 
tion of exposing the whole cheat. You will see in the 
papers an announcement of her abduction. From a variety 
of secret and very suspicious manoeuvres there was every 
reason to believe that a plot was ripened for the purpose 
of getting possession of her. She had had interviews with 
various persons from Canada, against whom she was 



18363 JAMES FEN I MORE-COOPER 355 

warned by her friends, and on Wednesday evening she 
was missing. Her guardian Mr. Slocum was in much 
trouble about it, applied to the police and could get no 
assistance; the only method left was to advise the public 
of the state of the case, and get the public eye directed to 
the matter. The next day she returned, and her absence 
was satisfactorily explained. Would you not write a short 
notice of the second edition (even two or three lines 
would answer) for one of the Cooperstown papers, suffi- 
cient to draw attention to the subject of her book^ 

I send you a little work for Master Paul which if you 
approve please present him in my name; I find it has 
interested my own boys very much, and I think it will 
him also. 

I also ask your acceptance of a work of one of Dr. 
Beecher's daughters. It strikes me as possessing great 
originality and enlargement of thought, and she combats 
infidelity in a masterly manner. But there is a vindica- 
tion of New England character in it at page 14 and on- 
ward which is so just that your candid mind I am sure 
will give it its just weight in removing some of your 
Afiti puritanic feelings. 

I want to come up and see you, but I don't know that 
I can force myself away from New York. Our Exhibi- 
tion is yet doing bravely. We have had a few wet days, 
and yet the average daily receipt is not greatly lessened; 
we made a calculation that if we received 17.50 p"" day 
for the remaining days of Exhibition (36 in number), 
our receipts would be 3000 in all, but yesterday with 
unfavorable weather our receipts were 79 dollars. Noth- 
ing yet from Horace. 

I am reading your Switzerland. I like it much, but 
this is doubtless to be set down by the American et omne 



356 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1836 

id genus as prejudice. Please present my best respects to 
Mrs. Cooper and the young ladies. In haste 

but with real respect and esteem 

Yr friend and ser^* 
Sam. F. B. Morse. 
James Fenimore Cooper, Esq""., Cooperstown, 

Catherine Esther Beecher, the daughter of Dr. Lyman Beecher, 
was born in 1800. She was head of a seminary at Hartford, 
Connecticut, and wrote a number of books on and for the educa- 
tion of women. 

FROM EDGAR ALLAN POE 

Richmond, June 7, 1836 
D^ Sir 

At the request of Mr. T. W. White, I take the liberty 
of addressing you and of soliciting some little contribu- 
tion to our Southern Literary Messenger. I am aware 
that you are continually pestered with such applications, 
and am ready to believe that I have very little chance of 
success in this attempt to engage you in our interest, yet 
I owe it to the magazine to make the effort. 

One reason will, I think, have its influence with you. 
Our publication is the first literary attempt of Virginia, 
and has been for eighteen months forcing its way, unaided 
and against a host of difficulties, into the public attention. 
We wish, if possible to strike a bold stroke which may 
establish us on a surer footing than we now possess, and 
design to issue, as soon as possible, a number of the Jour- 
nal consisting altogether of articles from distinguished 
Americans, whose names may give weight and character 
to this work. To aid us in this attempt would cost you no 
effort, as any spare scrap in your port folio would answer 
our main purpose and to us your aid would be invaluable. 



1836] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 357 

With the highest respect, 

Y^ Ob St 

Edgar A. Poe 

FROM S. F. B. MORSE 

New York, June 13th, 1836 
D'- Sir, 

Well, our friend Horace [Greenough] has come, and 
he looks in fine health and spirits. He goes to Washing- 
ton to-day and must see his mother in Boston before he 
can come to Cooperstown. I have told him that whenever 
he is ready I will go to the Hall with him. 

I send you by Mr. Pratt a small parcel of books. I am 
inclined to think you will be pleased with Miss Beecher's 
book, there is such a fairness and truly liberal spirit (and 
unaffected) throughout; at the same time there is such a 
masculine character of reasoning, freed from masculine 
asperity of manner, as I think will commend itself to 
you. I confess myself so far sectarian as she is, and no 
farther; her last chapter contains my own sentiments in 
regard to other denominations perfectly. 
In great haste but with real 

esteem, Yr friend and ser'^* 

Saml p B. Morse. 

TO HORATIO GREENOUGH 

The Hall, Cooperstown, June 14th, 1836 
Dear Greenough, 

I congratulate vou on your return to vour native land, 
if . 

I should have been happy to see you in St. Mark's 
Place, but we have been here these six weeks. You do not 
speak of Morse, and I fear he, too, was out of town. He 



358 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1836 

has promised me a visit soon, but I now hope that it may 
be deferred until you can come with him. 

I go to Philadelphia in about a fortnight, but shall 
be at home all August, and I wish you and Morse would 
reserve yourselves for ten days or a fortnight in that 
month, September would do, especially the early part of 
it, but August is the best month for our mountains. 

We have good air, good water, fine woods, a lake, a 
friend, and tolerable mutton. I am very much afraid 
Morse is about to marry a certain Miss Monk, and when 
you see him I beg you will speak to him on the subject. 
I am afraid the issue of such a celibate as himself and a 
regular Monk, who, by the way, has also been a ?iun, 
might prove to be a progeny fit only for the choir of the 
Sistine Chapel. What do you think of Morse for a 
Mayor? the fellow actually got 1800 votes for that grave 
and masticating office, a short time since, and would have 
been elected could he have got 18,000 more. 

As respects your statue, talk not, touch not, think not. 
You are in a country in which every man swaggers and 
talks, knowledge or no knowledge; brains or no brains; 
taste or no taste. They are all ex nato connoisseurs, poli- 
ticians, religionists, and every man's equal, and all men's 
betters. In short, you are to expect your own matured and 
classical thoughts will be estimated by the same rules as 
they estimate pork, and rum, and cotton. Luckily you get 
a pretty good sum, and the statue that has cost them 
$20,000 may stand some chance. Alas I my good Green- 
ough, this is no region for poets, so sell them your wares 
and shut your ears. The foreigners have got to be so 
strong among us that they no longer creep but walk erect. 
They throng the prisons, control one or two of the larger 
cities, and materially influence public opinion all over the 



18363 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 359 

Union. By foreigners, I do not mean the lower class of 
Irish voters, who do so much at the polls, but the mer- 
chants and others a degree below them, who are almost 
to a man hostile in feeling to the country, and to all her 
interests, except as they may happen to be their interests. 
These are truths, though they who live in the vortex are 
too much occupied with their own affairs, or are too little 
observant, too much accustomed to them, to notice them. 
Adieu. I shall be in New York and Philadelphia about 

the 1st July. t i:^ • r> 

'' •' J . r emmore Cooper 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Astor House, Thursday evening, June 30 [1836] 
Dearest, 

We reached town last night. I have seen Ogden, who 
seems in good spirits, but who was sadly frightened by the 
Liverpool affair. 

I shall not print, but send my manuscript, and draw 
against that. By this arrangement, I shall get on for a 
month or six weeks, and receive back the sheets from Eng- 
land. — Carey declines publishing, but I think will take 
the book when it returns. This will allow of my returning 
home next week, unless I should be detained a little in 
Westchester, whither I mean to go before I return home. 

I shall write to Shubrick from this place. I shall pur- 
chase most of your personal effects, but not 7nuch in the 
grocery way. Still something, and shall take care that 
they are at the Hall in time for the guests. 

When I see the fruits here, I almost regret that we 
have gone to the Hall, knowing your partiality for them. 
But one of these days we shall go to Italy again. 

We have not had a good idea of the state of things 
here. Many houses that have not failed in form, have 



36o CORRESPONDENCE OF [1836 

failed in fact, and notes are renewed daily. Ogden gives 
a deplorable account of it, and thinks the mushroom 
growth of the town destroyed for years. Money is getting 
to be valuable, and one may now live at a reasonable 
rate — still the markets are high. 

They say Sir Thomas gets as fuddled as a fiddler, and 
is altogether a rum fellow. De Kay came down with me, 
and went home to-day like a good husband. 

I wish you to send any letter of moment that may have 
arrived here by return of mail, care of Ogden. After 
Tuesday of next week, it will hardly be worth while to 
send any, and I shall probably be home in the course of 
the week. 

Abraham Schermerhom's eldest daughter is to marry 
a son of Judge Irving. They are at Florence. De K'ham 
is ruined ; Ogden will have something left. We had three 
broken New York merchants with us in the stage, on 
leaving Cooperstown. They gave us terrible histories, 
and, among other things, prognosticated sad acts of dis- 
honesty. The idol is at length broken. 

De Kay is so much in love with the Hall, that I 
expect he will marry all our girls, in succession, when he 
becomes a widower. At all events he shall not have you, 
for you are plyghted to me for life. Adieu, dearest — tell 
Paul to be diligent and not impatient, and the girls that 
I tenderly love them, if no one else does. 

Ever yours 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Astor House, July 1st, 1836 
My dearest Sue, 

I have determined to go to Philadelphia, and print 



1836] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 361 

vol. 1st and then leave the manuscript, and print Vol. 2d, 
through the mail. Without this arrangement, I shall be 
all summer annoyed with the book [^Sketches of Switzer- 
land'\ . 

Part 1st, I fancy, has done pretty well — at least 
Bryant says that all but the extreme aristocrats like it. 
They complain of its democracy. 

Bradish is here, and I dined with him yesterday. He 
is the same Bradish, and as we dined a la carte the dinner 
was served rather slowly. 

Joseph Bonaparte and Walsh both sail for Europe to- 
day. I fancy that the former will not be fool enough to 
return if he can help it. 

A foolish paragraph is going the rounds that I want to 
be Secretary of the Navy. I have caused it to be contra- 
dicted, though I fear some of the officers are making a 
little influence to that effect, else it is not easy to see 
whence the report should have come. 

The Boruls have gone to Europe, but not VEiloise. 
Thorn is here quite tranquilly and sensibly, they say, and 
ferocious enough about the $3000. He authorized a young 
man to take a house, limiting him to that sum, and as the 
young man named his limit Cowan asked it, pretty much 
as a matter of course. Thorn came with only eleven in all, 
and the bargain was for twenty-two, so he has eleven 
friends every day at dinner. This is all hearsay, however, 
for I have not seen him. 

The furniture here is black walnut, and it really puts 
the oak quite in the shade. I had no idea of its beauty. 
It is almost equal to rosewood, and then there is no 
veneer. 

Adieu, my best Sue, and call all the babes together 
and kiss them one by one. Tell Paul not to be gamanish^ 



362 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1836 

but to look after the grounds. One of the engines of the 
house is blowing off steam, and it roars like a waterfall. 
The style of this place is supereminent, like American 
eloquence, in which the thought is too big for the words. 

Adieu once more. 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

I saw Cruger to-day and he will not dine at Hender- 
son on the 4th. By the way, I paid poor Dunlap his $100 
to-day, and he lost it in the street. I have just given him 
another $50, making $150 in all. I hope he may recover 
his loss. Morse is here, and Monkish as ever. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Head's, Philadelphia, July 5th, 1836 
Dearest Sue, 

I only got here yesterday and the printers are at work. 
I hope to finish at least a volume and a half, and still be 
at home by the 2oth, but we shall see. 

I was at Burlington yesterday, where I passed three 
hours delightfully. I went over the whole place, which is 
neat, quiet, genteel and as free from Yankee strut as one 
could wish, besides having many excellent houses. In my 
wanderings I asked an old man, who was blind, eighty 
years old, and who was seated on the stoop of an old- 
fashioned brick house, if he had ever known William 
Cooper ■? "Intimately. He lived next door there." It was 
the last house he inhabited in Burlington. The tavern 
below was the first, the house where Ridgway lived the 
second, and this was the last. Of course the last was the 
house where I was born. The house that is now a tavern 
is not large, but was a pretty good house sixty years ago. 
The Ridgway house you may have heard me speak of, 
for Mrs. Thomas, Capt. Elton's aunt, lived in it, and 



1836] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 363 

my house is a very decent abode. It is beautifully rough- 
cast, has a large back-building, and a single front. The 
room looked quite respectable, though evidently falling 
off. 

The old man was a Mr. How, and the son of a man of 
some importance formerly. He appears to be decayed 
now. He told me Cooperstown here is only three miles 
from Burlington. It has a meeting-house, tavern, two 
stores and twelve dwellings, not having increased much 
since my father left it, which he did about fifty-eight 
years since. 

The high sheriff is a Fenimore, and my third cousin. I 
know his father, who was received by my mother as her 
second cousin. He has one or two brothers. 

While looking for the house in which I once lived, I 
questioned a respectable-looking old Quaker. By way of 
apology, I explained that I had been born in Burlington. 
"Thy name*?" he asked, looking hard at me. "Cooper.'^ 
"Of what branch of the Coopers'? thy family is numer- 
ous." "My father was named William." "Not of Ot- 
sego?" "The same." "Why, we are related — thy mother 
was a Fenimore — the sister or daughter of Richard Feni- 
more." "The daughter." "Then thy great-aunt, the sister 
of Richard, married my father's brother," etc., etc. In a 
short time, I could have mustered all the men of Burl- 
ington as cousins, I believe. 

It is a delightful place — far handsomer and better 
built than I had fancied. It is about thrice as large as 
Cooperstown. 

Now, my best love, you must not fidget — I am quite 
well — working away, and, after all, it is just what I have 
anticipated all summer. Bathe, and get ready to see your 
friends in August and September. 



364 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1836 

Kiss them all round, and let me hear from you. 

Ever most affectionately 
Yours 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Head's, Philadelphia, Sunday, 10th July, 1836 
My dearest wife: 

I have not heard a word from you, since leaving 
Cooperstown. Unluckily I cannot bolt, as you are wont 
to do, but must stay and brunt it out. 

Vol. 1st is about half done, and by the end of the week 
I hope to be quit of the book. Perhaps I may be detained 
until the 20th. Write to me once here, and once to New 
York. I shall stay but a day in the latter, and leave it in 
a night boat. 

Shubrick has just gone through this place. His wife is 
very feeble, much too feeble to travel, and you will not 
see her this summer. Shubrick himself talks of coming, 
but it is doubtful. You will see few besides your own 
family, for the Lederers cannot well leave New York. 
The Baron says he will come to Cooperstown if he goes 
anywhere, but adds that he shall go nowhere. 

The sketches have not sold very well, but stand very 
fair. About twice as many have sold as of Stedell's 
book, but they are puffing away at him, might and main. 
There is another work on Switzerland by a Mr. Orville 
Dewey, that has just appeared, and he writes of fine 
scenery like a Yankee meeting his mother after an absence 
of forty years. Why I mother — is it you? 

Col. Perkins has just arrived here. He reports Mrs. 
Perkins in better health than she has been for years, with- 
out any increase to her family. 



1836: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 365 

The heat has been nearly insupportable for the last day 
or two, though it is now cloudy and cool. Philadelphia is 
an oven, and I have evaporated at least ten pounds. 

Your nephews John and Peter both look ill, and as for 
the first, I should think he cannot be long lived. The other 
has a puny look, but is much stronger. 

Helen Watts is married, and I believe gone to France. 
Robert Watts is also married. John Jay has just been 
here. He says that his aunts are delighted with their visit 
and talk of going again. Suppose we go along*? A steam- 
ship for Europe is building, and the passage is to be made 
in ten days. What do you say to this *? 

Well, embrace everybody for me but John and Ellen. 

I cannot be with you, but I think of you all, and love you 

very dearly, yourself the most of any, contrary as it is 

to the law of nature. 

Adieu 

J. Fenimore Cooper 
No news of Greenough. By the way I asked Morse 
about Miss Sarah Bowers, and he said he put it only on 
account of his disgust for her character. He told me he 
had just heard of his engagement to Sue — which he 
laughed at, of course. Do you remember a German stu- 
dent of whom he used to speak? He was consulting me 
about this unfortunate young man, at the very moment 
he shot himself on the battery. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Dearest Sue, Philadelphia, July l8th, 1836 

Carey promises me that I can get away to-morrow. 
Should I find Ogden in town, I shall probably leave 
New York Wednesday evening, and get home on Friday. 
I may be detained, however, as late as Saturday. 



366 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1836 

The whole work will be printed and done with, to my 
great joy, for I am sick of it. 

I shall bring with me about 200 volumes of books, 
good, bad and indifferent. One cannot live in the country 
without them. 

I do not believe you will want the library as a bed 
room, and therefore say nothing. Bishop White died yes- 
terday, and your brother will probably leave here, in a 
few days, for Mamaroneck and Cooperstown. They will 
be with us in August, most probably. 

Greenough and Morse must sleep at the tavern, should 
they come a proper, though I question if they come at all. 

I have ransacked Philadelphia, without success, for 
paper to finish the library, and am thrown on my inven- 
tion for the remedy. 

I meant Harvey to finish off Paul's room, that it might 
be occupied. He ought not to be with us any longer. Jim 
has entered college and has gone to join his mother. I 
shall offer to bring Ned with me, but I doubt whether he 
has entered yet. 

July 19th — Noon. 
I have just seen the last proof, and shall leave here to- 
morrow, New York Thursday, and be home Friday or 
Saturday. I hope the first, but should Ogden be out of 
town, at his place, not till the last. 

Most tenderly yours, 

J. F. C. 

FROM HORATIO GREENOUGH 

Boston, July 30th, 1836 
My Dear Mr. Cooper 

When I arrived here from Washington I found my 
father in a feeble state of health; he had long been sink- 



1836] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 367 

ing gradually and he kept his place among the family 
three days only after I met him. He suffered no pain but 
lay on his bed from weakness. He conversed cheerfully 
and made his toilette until within 24 hours of his death. 
He breathed his last the 27th inst. without a groan, and 
his last words were of joy to see his children around him. 
"My trust is in an unknown God !" These were the words 
that conveyed the creed and the hopes beyond the grave, 
of an honest and benevolent man who had heard the 
Gospel preached during a long life in silence. I know not 
what your faith may be, but I offer you an example of a 
happy death, without any other security for the future 
than natural religion gives to an upright and benevolent 
mind. 

When I compare the simplicity and kindness of his 
last words to us with the murmured jargon of the priest 
whose duty it was made to console this family, his helter 
skelter quotations from the old and new testament to 
prove that we should rejoice in the event, and his clap 
trap and stage effect to rip open the soothed wounds of 
bereavement, I cannot but think that Christianity is in 
the heart and in the heart only; any admixture of head- 
work spoils all, and in those of the trade all is spoiled. 
I write this in confidence. I would not willingly throw 
my father's character or my own to the blood-hounds of 
charity and brotherly love. 

I may be kept here longer than I had feared by the 
arrangements that it now becomes my duty to assist in 
making for the family. I trust I shall at least hear from 
you. I was ill at Washington but am recovered. I read 
your letter to your countrymen with pleasure. I fear you 
were mistaken in the origin of the obnoxious article of 
the American, and I believe that the country is as warm 



368 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1837 

an admirer of your works as ever it was. More of this if 
we meet. Pray present my respectful regards to Mrs. 
Cooper and the family, and believe me 

Yours 

Hor. Greenough 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq., Cooperstown 

Horatio Greenough was born in Boston in 1805. ^^ went to 
Rome in 1825 and lived in Florence for some years. In 1843 he 
made a colossal statue of Washington for the National Capitol. 
He died in 1852. He seems to have been a man of wide culture, 
who, in addition to his art of sculpture, wrote well both prose 
and verse. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

New York, Jan. 20th, 1837 
Dearest Sue, 

We reached the road about fifteen minutes before the 
cars arrived, and left precisely at four. Dick arrived next 
day at about the same hour. On Wednesday at five I got 
into the stage, and went by Canaan, N. Y., Sheffield and 
Great Barrington, Mass., Canaan, Conn., Litchfield, 
Watertown, Waterbury to New Haven, which place we 
reached at six next morning. At seven we proceeded in the 
steam boat, and got here at two. This is much the best and 
easiest route, nor is it much the longest. The road was 
good, but it was pretty cold, especially the day we left 
Albany. I wore two shirts, and was not at all troubled 
with cold feet. 

I go on to Philadelphia to-morrow. The Turners, 
Robert Campbell and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Col- 
lins, / am told., go in the same boat. I have seen the two 
first, who are in this house. I have seen Mr. Dunlap 



18373 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 369 

and got through my business here, for the moment. 
Money is much more plenty. 

Harry Jones was at Albany; he tells me he has been 
ten months absent from home during the last year. This, 
you will perceive, my dear check-mate, is a little worse 
than I have been. 

We had a pleasant party in the stage, particularly in 
Gen. Swift and a Mr. Sanford, a young lawyer of this 
place, who is, decidedly, a man of talents. 

The Mediator is a fine ship, but like a true sailor. Bill 
pays homage to the Montreal. The forecastle is a very 
good one, infinitely better than that in which I was 
immured, and Bill has one of the best berths in it. He 
tells me he felt no uneasiness about himself while ill, and 
that the sailor who died, did not die until he was nearly 
well. Five of the seamen and about twenty of the pas- 
sengers had the disease, which appeared when they were 
fifteen days out. He himself was taken seventeen days 
out, and was off duty three weeks. He has been on pay 
ever since he arrived, doing duty the whole time. No 
swearing or coarseness is allowed in the ship. Mr. Pash- 
ley, the pilot, found him out, and was very attentive to 
him. 

With kindest love to all, I am, dear check-mate. 

Yours 

J. F. C. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Dearest Head's, Wednesday, Jan. 25th, 1837 

I got here on Saturday, and we are at work. I shall not 
remain to finish the book, but long enough to get through 
with a good deal, and to make my arrangements. I think 
I shall be home in the course of next week. 



370 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1837 

They are all well in Pine Street, but the two boys are 
sad looking objects. Poor McAdam is dead. He died on 
the 16th November at Moffat, aged 81. 

Money is much easier. France is not yet published, nor 
will it be until next month. Switzerland does not sell. 

Barton is here, with the old set, and we are good 
natured and well-fed. I wish I could send you a dozen 
of the young turkeys, with a few pounds of the butter. 
Everything, however, is frightfully dear, and far beyond 
our mark. 

Jim came and sat with me half an hour on Sunday, 
being very particular in his inquiries after Paul and the 
skating. He is much grown, is four in his class, while 
Master Ned is thrown behind the pole. 

I am perfectly well, dear check-mate, and am sitting 
by a good fire of dry wood, where I wish I had you to 
play a game or two. As for Mrs. Pomeroy I shall lower 
her pride as soon as I return. 

The weather is honest, but good. The sleighs are in 
motion, and the winter is thought fine, without being 
particularly mild. 

Give my kindest love to all our children, and tell Paul 
I shall expect to hear a good account of him at my re- 
turn. Ned has a new radical and Jim looks like a crane. 
He stretched one of his legs, yesterday, and I really 
thought it was going to Europe. Adieu, my dearest wife. 

Yours most affectionately, 

J- F. C. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Head's, Sunday, [January] 29th, 1837 
Dearest Sue, 

Directly over my head here is a sick man, who for the 
last week has annoyed me a little nights by his servant 



1837] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 371 

moving about. I understand he has been a fortnight in 
this room. To-day I went to the bar and found a letter 
for Mr. Beatty, when lol he proved to be my sick neigh- 
bor. He is now better, and hopes to be out in three or four 
days. He has his doubts about going west until the navi- 
gation opens, for the exposure of winter travelling is too 
much for him. His presence is one reason I remain until 
Tuesday. His spirits are good. 

I have been to Camden to-day, where I called on 
Richard Mallock Cooper. There are three principal pro- 
prietors in the family, whose estates all lie within six 
miles. They are not more nearly related to each other 
than they are to me. 

When I told Mr. Cooper who I was, he was very glad 
to see me. He said my father had come into a counting 
house in Philadelphia, when he was a boy, and when he 
was a clerk, to purchase something, and for which he 
signed the receipt. Seeing the name he introduced himself 
to him as a cousin; and that he (Mr. R. M. Cooper) 
about fifteen years since had met Gold and Dick at 
Schenectady and, hearing their names, had introduced 
himself to them. 

He has a good double brick house, and appears to live 
in pretty good style, and I am told he is an efficient man. 
I also saw Wm. Cooper, the head of another branch, who 
has also a good brick residence, and a large estate. But his 
son Ralph Cooper is the possessor of most of the old 
family property. He lives in a house more than a century 
old, brick and quaint, and of very good size. I should 
think his estate very considerable — not less than two or 
three hundred acres. Isaac however is the rich man of the 
family, having some fifteen or twenty farms, within a 
short distance of Philadelphia. A branch has gone into 



372 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1:1837 

Burks County within the last forty years. Of about a 
thousand acres near Philadelphia only one hundred and 
forty have been sold. This took place some fifteen years 
since, and the purchase then was $80,000. This sale 
proved unfortunate, for the branch migrated and became 
impoverished, and it was quoted to me as a good reason 
for holding on. Sixty acres were bought back again. 

I was pleased with my visit and shall take another 
occasion to look at them. Did you see the Aurora *? Noth- 
ing of the sort, half as magnificent, did I ever witness 
before. You will read accounts of it, but I hope you had 
it in Otsego. 

Carey has given me about twenty volumes, all he has 
printed lately, some of which are useful books. One is a 
work of value. The Cyclopaedia of Geography^ neatly 
bound, in three volumes, of near 600 pp. each. There are 
four or five novels. 

The letters from Washington were on Hammett's 
business. 

I am quite well, and anxious to see you. The travelling 
is not as unpleasant as you fancy, the worst part being 
between New Haven and Albany. I may find it neces- 
sary to go through West-Chester, to see Tompkins, who 
has paid no one yet, and then to get on the New Haven 
road somewhere near Litchfield. 

I may do a little business with Beall. Comstock dis- 
appointed him. He tells me Fan has refused Mr. Rug- 
gles and accepted Mr. Oathwaite ! The latter is a young 
Englishman who has been in America but three years. 
Beall says he is of good character; nous verrons. After 
all it is as good as our Cooperstown race. 

Tell Paul I shall give him the Cyclopczdia of Geog- 
raphy, if I find he has made good use of his time and Sue 



1837] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 373 

makes a good report of him. As for the girls they are 
perfect — as girls go, miracles. Slidell, who is here, prom- 
ises me a cure for Sue's eyes. 

Adieu, dearest check-mate, with tenderest love for you 
all— 

J. F. C. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Gadsby's, Washington, March nth, 1837 
Dearest, 

I left New- York on Thursday and staid at Head's that 
night. Next day came to Baltimore. Shubrick was at 
Norfolk and most probably I shall not see him. 

The Eutaw House is a good inn, and we should have 
been very comfortable at it, I saw the McNally's and 
am to pass an evening with them on my return. McNally 
tells me his daughters have already secured about $5,000. 
At this rate, in ten years, they will be independent — but 
what a ten years I 

I came here yesterday, where everything is tranquil. 
The better opinion seems to be against the duellists, and 
the inquiry is going on. 

The capitol appears to me, now, more magnificent than 
it did four years ago — and I walked about it, and through 
it, yesterday, with a pleasure I have not experienced 
since quitting Europe — a love of grand architecture being 
a passion with me, you know. Still the building is not 
half large enough, is mean in many respects, and has a 
bad style. The grounds are improved and enlarged since 
1833, and the effect is positively good. Indeed this was 
wanted in every sense, for it now ennobles the whole 
edifice. I think there must now be quite forty acres in the 
area. I have not yet been as far as the President's House, 



374 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1837 

but am to dine with Commodore Chauncey, who lives 
near it. 

I have not yet seen Morse, but do not anticipate much 
by what I can learn. 

Gregorv^ has left the explorers, and Aulick will prob- 
ably be offered the squadron, if it goes at all, which is very 
doubtful. Shubrick will command the coast squadron, 
though Jones is recovered, and is applying for it. The 
secretary is dissatisfied with Shubrick on account of his 
obtaining a promise from the President, through the Sec- 
retary of War, but the probability is that the Secretary 
of War will become Secretary of the Navy, and then the 
orders will at once be given. The delay, I am told, pro- 
ceeds from Mr. Dickerson, of whose imbecility every- 
body speaks openly. 

Messrs. Clay and Calhoun had an intellectual duello 
yesterday; one of those pitiful personal wranglings, in 
which a day was lost in humoring the vanity and self- 
consequence of two men. I heard a part of it and thought 
it very miserable. 

Washington has certainly an air of more magnificence 
than any other American town. It is mean in detail, but 
the outline has a certain grandeur about it. The women 
dress a good deal, and many a village belle, who is not 
even receivable in her own country, poses here for a 
prodigy in consequence of political rank. It is amazing 
how politics colour everything. Vulgarity is made gen- 
teel; dullness, clever; and infamy, honest, by means of 
its magic. Even Mr. Webb has a party in his favor, 
though it be but an indifferent one. 

Kiss all our babes, and bless them too, and rest assured 
of my tenderest love. 

J. F. C. 



1837: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 375 

I have got a delightful pair of spectacles, with which I 
can read and I suppose write at night. 

TO JOHN JAY, NEW YORK 

The Hall, Cooperstown, June 16th, 1837 
My dear John, 

I am much gratified at your invitation, though it is 
doubtful whether I can accept it or not. I shall be in 
town in a few days, but the precise day will depend on the 
movements of a guest or two here. Should it be on the 
23rd, you may depend on my seeing you married. I wish 
you to express my acknowledgements to Mrs. Field, and 
to state the case as it is. The chances are equal that I may 
be able to do this in person. 

I hope you will have all the happiness you anticipate 
in this life. Though as no man ever was yet so lucky, I see 
no good reason for thinking you are to form an exception. 
A good temper, good principles, and good conduct are a 
large stock to begin with, and I believe you have all those. 
I know very little of Miss Field, but hope to know her 
better as Mrs. Jay. 

Business will be very likely to call me into West- 
Chester this summer, in which case tell your father I 
shall beat up his quarters. As he will probably remain in 
town until everybody is eaten out on this joyful occasion, 
I shall most likely see him. 

If you make a bridal excursion in this direction,, come 
and look at us. You will find a beautiful country, and one 
entirely novel. Our lake may not be equal to Lake 
George, but the countr}- is much finer. We can lodge you 
comfortably, though in a house that is not yet finished. 
At all events, we can treat you better than any tavern 



376 CORRESPONDENCE OF liS^-j 

in the country. With my best wishes for yourself and 
respects to all your friends, 
I remain, 

Dear John, 

Yours very Faithfully, 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Astor house, Saturday Evening 
[probably September 16, 1837] 
Dearest Sue, 

I have not seen Miss Banyer, though I have called. She 
is only so so. Col. White of Florida is here, and came 
home with them. He tells me a great deal of England, 
and of my book. The latter makes a sensation, but, as a 
matter of course, is abused, and Charles King is out 
against it this evening, though in a feeble and silly man- 
ner, so much so that Col. White tells me he immediately 
suspected him of being the person alluded to, as putting 
private marks to his letters of introduction. He sustains 
me in all I say, as do most of those who know England. 

Morse is in a peck of trouble, a fellow passenger 
claiming a share in the invention. He has written the man 
a fair, manly letter, that carries truth on its face, and I 
hope will shame him out of the pretension. 

Sam looks very well, and has a pair of whiskers as big 
as himself. Poor Gaston died here, three days since, of 
apoplexy, and Ogden buried him the day I got down. 

The latter met me with the intelligence that my last 
bill was not accepted, but I luckily had a letter from 
Bentley saying that it was. Since then Ogden has had the 
same news. All is now en regie. 

Col. White tells me the little Queen is playing Eliza- 



1837] JAMES FEN I MORE-COOPER 377 

beth already, that even her mother does not always influ- 
ence her, and that she manifests an astonishing a plo/nb. 
Her first interview with the Council was really wonder- 
ful, as she showed perfect calmness, great dignity and 
entire self-possession. They say she has a passion for a 
Lord Elphinstone, a fine young man I saw at Rome. The 
law forbids the Princesses from marrying a subject, but 
not a Queen. Her penchant was so decided that the min- 
ister gave the young man the governorship of Madras to 
get him out of the country, but there is an apprehension 
that she will have him back, and marry him, in spite of 
every one. 

In the mean time she has four royal suitors. The Prince 
of Orange junior, a Danish Prince, and her cousin of 
Albany. Her uncle Leopold affects the Orange hiatch, 
with a view to settle his own aifairs ! The mother likes 
the cousin of Albany. The nation wants the Prince of 
Cambridge, who went off post haste from Hanover, and 
the Dane is the best looking. Heaven knows which will 
succeed. 

Mr. White says she is short and rather thick, with a 
pretty good upper face, projecting teeth and a retreating 
chin, not handsome, and a little lame, one leg suspected of 
being shorter than the other, and immensely popular for 
the moment. 

Embrace all our children, with my blessing, and believe 
in the continued affection and tenderness of your husband 

J. F. C. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Head's, Phil., Sept. 19th, 1837 
Dearest Sue, 

Things are dull but no worse below. My people look 



•378 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1838 

well, but are shy. I shall get along, however, with exer- 
tion and care. 

Mrs. De Lancey and Charlotte Ellison are expected 
here, but may not come. The boys are well and little May 
does not appear to grow. 

I have been on board the Pennsylvania — and am de- 
lighted with the ship. She is, altogether, the best looking 
three decker I have ever seen and quite a marvel in her 
way. She will go round to Norfolk in about six weeks. 

An officer showed me the Raritan frigate, as the vessel 
Shubrick will get. She is still on the stocks, and I question 
if he gets to sea before Spring. This will be bad news 
for Bill, though I think he had better stick to the captain, 
as the most certain means of preferment. Cooperstown is 
a bad place for him. 

I have got a few books, twenty perhaps, and among 
other things, Lockhart's Scott. 

I may not stay away too long after all, and hope to 
find you glad to see me on my return. Give my kindest 
love to the girls and Paul. 

Ever most tenderly yours 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Astor-House, Sunday, Jany. 22 [21?], 1838 
Dearest, 

I left Albany at ten yesterday, and reached town at 
one this morning. A good deal of ice, and at one time we 
thought things looked squally, but, on the whole, we did 
very well. I am not without hopes of being able to get 
above the highlands by water, on my return, as the 
weather is again growing milder. It is raw to-day rather 
than cold. 



1838] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 379 

Lots of scandal as usual — Count Fitzgerald the sub- 
ject. He has challenged Henry Lynch, and published 
him, by handbills. A Dr. Carnighan has also published 
Sam Neall, and James Lynch has come out in a letter, 
in the public papers. I will endeavor to show you all the 
letters. 

No one here knows whether Shubrick is, or is not, to 
have the Home Squadron. Kearney has refused the expe- 
dition, and it is now said Matthew Berry is to have it, 
after all, 

John R. Murray told me to-day that the Indians who 
were here lately prognosticated an unusually mild winter, 
because the beaver had not made their usual provision for 
cold weather. Kindest love to the children, and to your- 
self. 

J. F. C. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Astor House, May 25th, 1838 — Friday 
My dearest wife : 

I was at Philadelphia four days, and did a little work, 
but I think my connection with Carey draws near a close. 
I do not expect that he will publish either Home-As- 
Found or the Naval History. Your brother is expected 
here, and goes into West-Chester. 

At Philadelphia I saw de Saligny. He hinted at the 
possibility of a visit from the Prince de Joinville, though 
I do not think he will come. I told him that we were not 
in a situation to invite princes, but if he came, we would 
treat him as well as we could, and should be glad to see 
him. He may possibly pass one day with us, but I think 
the road will se contentere. 

The cabinet is breaking up, and Shubrick will get his 



38o CORRESPONDENCE OF [1838 

command I think as soon as the changes are made. The 
Macedonian is at Norfolk, and I am trying to persuade 
him to get a Mediterranean ship. 

Hofneward Bound is received. It reads pretty well, 
and is already in Mr. Carey's hands. 

Charlotte and Mary Shubrick are sworn friends, and 
would live together if they could. I hardly see the Chief 
Justice, who is busy morning, noon and nights. 

Mary Lawrence is married, and sails for France to- 
morrow. She, her mother, and husband are all now in the 
house. She is very like her father, and good looking. 

I have seen Mrs. Banyer, who is as usual. I have not 
seen the Jays, and have seen the Stuyvesants. I am 
invited to dine with the last next Tuesday, but dare not 
accept. 

The De7nocrat is getting a name. Paulding told me it 
was one of the best books that he knew, the best on its 
subjects, though he objected to some of my opinions. 
Worth says it ought to be in every young man's hands in 
the country. Sooner or later, it will make its way, depend 
on it. I remain a little longer than I should, with a view 
to dispose of the copies I expect from Cooperstown, and 
which have not yet arrived. I have paid too little atten- 
tion to this book. 

Our friend Bradish is to run for the Whig Lt. 
Governor, but his success, or that of his party, is doubt- 
ful. Mr. Seward is their candidate as Governor. 

I have just come from dinner, where I was seated next 
to our old visitor. General Wood. He seemed grateful for 
Paris civilities, and wa's anxious to show it. He tells me 
that the north is far from tranquil, that a good deal 
depends on the management of Lord Durham. 

I regret to see by one of the vile publications of the day 



1838] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 381 

that Lord and Lady William Russell have a mauvais 
menage. The book speaks openly of Miss Rawdon as an 
intrigante notwithstanding. A "beautiful Jewess" is 
mentioned as one of the causes of the estrangement of the 
husband. Lady William is called the pretty Bessy, and 
justice is done her lusts. 

By the way, I have been told Scott, while at Naples, 
declared a person you love had more genius than any 
living writer. I repeat this because I know it will give 
you pleasure, although I make great allowance for 
Master Scott's blarney. 

I met Dr. Wainright yesterday, and he and I fell into 
an argument concerning the opinions of England as to 
this country. He said that he would call to convince me 
of my errors on the subject, and to-day he was as good as 
his word, though unluckily I was out. I shall hunt him 
up this evening, and give him a chance. 

Adieu, my best love. I think of you every day and all 
day, and I make no doubt of your affection, which has 
stood too much foul weather to be doubted now. My 
blessing and my love to our children, who are with you, 
who are very dear children, as well as those that are here. 
I see the girls every day, and sometimes twice a day. I 
am now going to see them. Adieu. 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

New York, July 25th, 1838 
Dearest Sue, 

I got here this morning, and found that Ogden left 
here last night for Saratoga Springs. I shall go to Phila- 
delphia to-morrow morning, and return on Sunday. On 
Tuesday / hope to return home., accompanied by G. L. 



382 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1838 

Worth, and perhaps by Ogden. I may be detained a day 
or two longer, but I hope not. I think, should Mr. Blake 
arrive, you may tell him that I shall be at home by 
Wednesday of next week. 

Mrs. Jay is at the Springs, unwell, and Mr. Jay here. 
Everybody is out of town that can get out — though it is 
not particularly warm, at present. Yesterday did a great 
deal for the town, in the way of cooling it. 

Democrat sells slowly. I should think that, on the 
whole, near five hundred copies have gone off, though 
nothing has been done to help it off. Favorable opinions 
are given of it, every day. 

Italy seems to be better liked than most of the series. 
This is a proof how completely England has her foot on 
this country, for there is no comparison between England 
and Italy. But we are both of a mind, in this respect. 

I shall not buy anything until I come back from Phila- 
delphia. I wish you to write to me here, as soon after you 
get this as possible. Do not let dear Sue overwork her- 
self; as for the rest of the girls, there is no danger, though 
Fan is a model of diligence. They are all very dear to me, 
as are you and Paul, and I am nowhere so happy as under 
my own roof. Adieu, beloved. Let Dick have what is 
written on the next page. 

J. F. C. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOVVN 

Albany, 10th Nov., 1838 
Dearest, 

After toiling, with an interval of an hour passed at 
Springfield, until 7 o'clock we reached the station. Here 
we encountered awful election news; the Whigs having 
got their governor in by a majority of from ten to fifteen 



1838] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 383 

thousand. B radish is elected out of question, too, though 
his whig friends cut him below, on account of his letter. 

I took a nap on a bed until twelve, and at Y^ past we 
got into the cars. At Fonda we met with a slight accident, 
which happily did no harm. An empty freight car, at- 
tached to that we were in, shot off the track, and drew the 
hind wheels off with it. The shock was slight, and the 
freight car upset. Happily, we were not going very fast, 
and the train was stopped almost instantly. We got 
out, lifted our convenient vehicle back again, and reached 
this place in season to go to bed. 

I am writing at Stevenson's, who kisses all your hands. 
Barnard tells me the review makes a great sensation, a 
thing I could have foretold, for the honesty of it is a 
great novelty in this country. He tells me it has made 
an impression, and that the better portion of the com- 
munity is settling down into common sense on the sub- 
ject. Tant mieux pour elle. 

You will have heard of the new rising in Canada. It 
is said to be better planned than that of last winter. Here 
there is nothing however except the rising, from which it 
is inferred that the communications are cut. Mr. Ellice, a 
nephew of Lord Grey's, is taken by the Liberals, and 
there have been some deaths. Rensselaer Van Rensselaer 
has gone on, as have most of the old leaders. It is said 
there are many French officers employed, but I doubt it. 
At all events, there is civil war, and one more serious than 
that of last winter. The movement is well-timed, and the 
British appear to have been, in a measure, surprised. Get 
the Ruta Baga. With kindest love to all, especially she 
who is despairing, down and out, I remain, my love, your 
affectionate husband — 

J. Fenimore Cooper. 



384 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1838 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Gadsby's, Thursday Evening, 

15th [November, 1838] 
My dearest Sue, 

I have just got here, having been detained longer than 
I expected by the way. I saw your sisters in New-York, 
and the Bishop in Philadelphia. Everything appeared 
well at the first place, Mrs. M. all graciousness, and 
Mr. M. invisible. Pinky says the mania continues, 
though the young couple begin as they mean to end. The 
family take it as coolly as the lovers. 

The Bishop is well satisfied. Dr. Eastburn was his 
competitor, and I have heard that the first night they 
stood 21 to 19, the Dr. leading. On the vote, the Dr. got 
29 to 10; or something near it. The opposition was ear- 
nest as low church, and it happened, oddly enough, that 
the Mr. Clark who wrote the article in the Philadelphia 
paper, to which we saw the answer, was deputed to ac- 
quaint the Dr. with his election. The consecration cannot 
take place for some time, and the Dr. will not resign St. 
Peter's until he is consecrated. The diocese offers, as yet, 
nothing but the proceeds of the fund. As this fund, how- 
ever, will be running on for some time pari passu with the 
salary of St. Peter's, it will afford some six or seven 
hundreds to cover the expense of removal. I think the 
Bishop will purchase a farm near Geneva, and build, as 
he may now be deemed settled for life. 

Well, I have read the Ballantyne's books, and Mr. 
Lockhart is flat on his back. They not only show that 
Scott ruined the Ballantynes, but they show that he knew 
the entire situation of his affairs, James Ballantyne fur- 
nishing a monthly statement to him, and they show that 



1838: JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 385 

Mr. Lockhart is a cool, calculating knave. He lies 
throughout the volumes. In my opinion, they also show, 
though it is without effort, and incidentally, that Scott 
was [a] cold hearted, selfish fellow, as well as a Jesuit. 
Take one specimen of their statements. A newspaper 
called The Beacon was established to assail private char- 
acter, for political purposes — the affair of which Mc- 
Nally spoke — and Sir Alexander Boswell got killed. 
Now Scott was deeply implicated in this rascally trans- 
action. Lockhart says Scott would not employ James 
Ballantyne as the editor of this paper, as he wanted a 
steadier man for his purpose. Now his son affirms that he 
has the proof Scott offered the editorship to his father, 
with a salar}^ of £500 per annum, and that the latter de- 
clined ON PRINCIPLE. In short, we get glorious insights 
into Scott's real character by this pamphlet, and even 
King gives Lockhart up ! 

I am gleaning away, with great success, and have the 
promise of much more. Barron, Porter and Chauncey are 
all here, and to-morrow I shall get to work in earnest. 

The weather is as mild as September. No letter from 
you. I shall write again from Philadelphia, when I hope 
to give you the news of the lodgings. Mrs. O'Neil has 
four rooms in the main body of her house, including our 
two and two directly over them. One of the latter is also 
ours. Now I have offered her $35. a week for the four, 
and to keep the two girls. At need all four could come at 
$45. a week. This would be half price as regards a tavern, 
and might be got along with. I think she will accept, 
when we shall be comfortable, and I think remain three 
months. By this arrangement no one will use the upper 
stairs but our own family and that of Mrs. O'Neil. 



386 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1839 

Home as Found is published, and will not take, of course, 
though no one has yet read it. 
Adieu — I must get to work. 

Yours tenderly, 

J. F. C. 
Love to babes. 



FROM M. C. PERRY 

New York, March 13, 1839 
My dear Sir 

My friend Captain Stephens has infonned me some 
time since, that you had approached in the progress of 
the work on which you are now engaged, that part of the 
Naval History of the U. S. that will embrace an account 
of the Battle of Lake Erie, that you were desirous of 
obtaining every information in reference to that memo- 
rable event; and suggested the propriety of my writing 
to you, and of transmitting such papers as I possess, in 
illustration of the circumstances of that battle. 

Captain S. was more anxious for this as he was im- 
pressed with a belief that you had received false informa- 
tion on the subject, and might possibly be influenced by 
such representations. 

In the latter respect I think differently from my 
friend : believing as I do that his warm and kind hearted 
zeal for the memory of my brother had led him to sup- 
pose that the machinations and falsehoods of others had 
diverted your mind from the true merits of the battle. 

It appears to me, that I know you well enough to sat- 
isfy myself that you never could be influenced by such 
reports, that you are too intimately acquainted with naval 
matters to be deceived as to the evolutions of vessels, 



1839] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 387 

their means of getting into action, or of keeping clear of 
the shot of an enemy; and can judge as well as others, of 
the influence of the same wind upon all alike, and can 
estimate the preponderating evidence undeniably stand- 
ing against the Niagara until Commodore Perry assumed 
command of her, and to this fact all, excepting those be- 
longing to that vessel, bear ample testimony; and that 
their opinions are corroborated by the British officers, who 
could have been influenced by no personal views. 

I have sent to Captain Stephens all the papers of any 
importance within my possession, in reference to the sub- 
ject. The principal mass of documents are in the hands 
of Mr. Hazard of New Port, who was many years ago 
appointed by the Legislature of The State of Rhode 
Island, to write the Biography of my brother, and who 
under the plea of still being engaged in the work, insists 
on retaining them. 

I am. Dear Sir, 

Very Respectfully 

and Truly Yours, 

M. C. Perry 

TO PAUL FENIMORE COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Philadelphia, March 30th, 1839 
My dear Boy 

I have taken the duty of writing this letter on myself, 
and in order that you may learn how to communicate 
news, I shall at once tell all mine, without circumlocu- 
tion. We have moved to Union Street, No. 79, remain- 
ing, however, with our old landlady, who was obliged to 
quit her house. We are better lodged and much genteeler 
than before, though other matters are not essentially im- 



388 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1839 

proved. We wear a better face to the world, which is 
something with the majority. My history is nearly 
printed, and I have often thought that you will have 
pleasure in reading it. We shall come home about the end 
of April, or soon after I get through here. Charlotte is 
now with us, Caroline having taken her place at your 
uncle's. Your aunts, I suppose you know, sail for Eng- 
land on the 20th of April. Your uncle will break up here, 
on the 3rd or 4th of May, and he is to be consecrated on 
the 9th. Peter is to pass the summer at Mamaroneck, and 
Ned and Jack go to Geneva. I think Jim will be at the 
consecration, and perhaps at Cooperstown. 

I dined with the Comte de Survilliers a day or two 
since, and I saw a picture of your old friend Josef. He 
looks like a little Italian, and his grandfather says that he 
is a fine youth. When I told the Comte that you were his 
old play fellow, he expressed a desire to see you, and sent 
you some bonbons. Lucien, the third child, who was an 
infant in the arms of his nurse when we left Rome, has 
been to London to see his grandfather. Au reste we had a 
capital dinner, and I had one of the Imperial plates — it 
was of gold, and had the eagle embossed on it. The comte 
has grown old, and totters when he walks. He converses 
a great deal, and it is curious to hear him say "When I 
was King of Naples, etc."; "that happened when I was 
King of Spain." He told me no man had finer palaces or 
gardens than himself, as witness Careste, the Escurial, 
etc., but he prefers his park at Bordentown to them all. 

Now, my dear boy, I expect something of your taste in 
the way of gardens. If Joe wants work, as soon as the 
frost is out of the ground let him fill up the place by the 
gate with hemlocks, with bushy tops. Then let him set out 
as many trees as are necessary to fill up the space left in 



1839] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 389 

John's old garden. He may go as low as the corner of the 
fence, or even lower, and as far out N. E. as the old barn, 
or the place where it stood. He may set out 20 or 30 be- 
tween Mrs. Tracey's and the Hall, near the former's. 
He may fill in with small trees, under the fence, near 
Mrs. Tracey's, and place some on the other side of the 
paths, but not in straight lines. He may set out as many 
as he can, small, along the Pomeroy fence beginning at 
the little gate, and running to the low cross fence. These 
trees may extend as far as fifteen feet from the fence, but 
must have a gentle curvature suited to a path. On the 
north side also he may set out as many more, and he may 
set out as many shrubs, such as lilacs, along the low fence, 
to hide the garden, as he can find. If that is not work 
enough, he may clean the paths. I wish him, however, to 
plant some early potatoes, on the end of the garden next 
to the rectory. He must keep Seraphina out until I get 
home, by all means. 

I wish you to look at him once and a while, and per- 
haps Mr. Duff will have the goodness to accompany you, 
and suggest an improvement or two. A few large trees 
scattered about the Pomeroy field would be an improve- 
ment. If anyone has roses to give away, accept them and 
stick them in, wherever you can, but do not invade sister's 
beds. I wish a few to be put around Mrs. Tracey's house. 
A few small trees to fill in the shrubbery along the road, 
by the brick store, would be an improvement, and I 
should be pleased to see them there on my return. I attach 
a great deal of importance to this planting, and as I shall 
not be home in time, I confide in your taste. But Joe can 
hardly go amiss in filling in where I have already planted 
and in the same manner. The hemlocks, in particular, I 
hope to find in their places, the largest behind and the 



390 CORRESPONDENCE OF HiSag 

smallest in front. In short, I give you as mots d'ordre 
"plant away, and keep the cow out." 

I shall expect to find you "fat, straight and learned." 
I am sorry to learn the backsliding of your namesake, and 
hope it is not irretrievable. Deceit in a boy is a bad thing, 
but I believe you have as little of the vice as most young 
gentlemen. Mr. Duif must be lenient, notwithstanding, 
for hypocrisy and deceit are failings that abound in this 
good nation of ours. Neither is a gentlemanly sin. 

I wish I could get a few scholars for Mr. Duff, as 
they would be apt to be of the right stamp. But it is far to 
send a boy from Philadelphia, though I do not abso- 
lutely despair. I have given away the pamphlets, and 
thrown in a word here and there. 

Your dear mother has passed a very comfortable Win- 
ter, so far as her asthma is concerned, and so has Char- 
lotte, though the last is just now suffering under a slight 
attack, for the first time. None of the party has gone 
much into company, declining invitations. Still they have 
been among their friends a little. 

And now for the most important theme! Ned has 
brought a sealed packet to your mother, which bears your 
address. It is understood to contain coins and shells. One 
of the former is of the reign of Constantine and another 
is of the Dukes of Savoy. The others are believed to be 
worthy of the giver and the receiver. As it is not usual for 
one antiquary to manifest this liberality to another, the 
occurrence has excited much remark, and a good deal of 
surprise. Had it been less true and more vulgar, the news- 
paper would undoubtedly have commemorated the event. 
Ned has been a little dejected since the separation, but as 
he has a duplicate of the Constantine, it is hoped change 
of scene and a proper application of modern coins will 



1839] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 391 

restore his spirits. It would be well for you to express 
your gratitude. It ought to be done in latin, but would 
be exceedingly piquant could each line be in a different 
language, and quite unique were it only in rhyme. Let us 
see; you could write one line in german, another in 
Italian, a third in French, a fourth in English, a fifth in 
latin, and a sixth in greek, and an Alexandrine in Yan- 
kee — pure Doric. Something must be done, and I leave it 
to your discretion to decide whether it be in prose or in 
verse. Whichever is selected, I hope it will be done with- 
out any such expression as "Oh^ mon -pere et ma mere^ 
comme je vous en vauxP'' 

As you have now been at school four months, I sup- 
pose you begin to think of a profession. All the arts and 
sciences are before you. But, perhaps, like a true Ameri- 
can, you would chuse to attempt them all. This will be 
the wisest, as by this means you will be certain to discover 
those in which you cannot succeed. 

The trees are beginning to open their leaves here, and 
I trust, next month, your mother and sisters will have an 
opportunity to run about the country a little. We intend 
to visit Burlington, Bristol, Wilmington, and New 
Castle, etc., etc. As yet, they have seen nothing. I shall 
have to write a third volume to the history, but shall 
publish at first with two. 

You must caution Mr. Duff about venturing on the 
lake with horses too late, especially near the brooks and 
runs. The danger is nearest the shores. I think you will 
get rid of the ice this spring by the 20th of April, and 
wish you much joy of its disappearance. Here, the month 
of March has been so fine that I distrust April. 

Matters look unsettled in Europe, and I begin to ex- 
pect another revolution in France — Louis Philippe will, 



392 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1839 

sooner or later, be dethroned if he live, though his years 
may take him away before his people perform that office 
for him. My man of the Thuileries, the night you and I 
were there to see the feu cf artifice^ set the year 1840 for 
the next revolution. 

By the way, Joe must cover the cistern as soon as Har- 
vey has prepared the box, and the water must be turned 
into it, though it must first be cleaned. I believe Ellen 
wishes to return to Cooperstown with us, but do not know 
whether your mother will bring her. Wighton is a good 
girl, and behaves well. We have no news of Sarah. 

Your mother and sister send their kindest love, in 
which I sincerely join, with my compliments to Mr. and 
Mrs. Duff. Our love also to Roy. 

Call on your aunt Mary, and say how sorry I am to 
hear of her accident. There is no remedy but patience. 
Her father broke his leg when about her age, and he is 
still walking about. 

FROM D. D. BARNARD 

Albany, 19th May, 1839 
My dear Sir, 

But for an announcement which we see in our Daily 
Ad^, Mr. Stevenson and myself, with, probably, another 
friend or two, would be on our way, on Tuesday morning 
next, to meet you at Fonda, to see you fairly through your 
first essay in the law. For one, I confess I am a little dis- 
appointed — perhaps you felt so too, at the proper time, 
tho' I hope this was the only inconvenience you suffered 
from our absence. 

So much for explanations. And now, I know not what 
you may think of your verdict ($400, our paper says, 



1839] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 393 

tho' no particulars are given), but for myself, I regard 
it as a complete triumph for you, and I beg leave heartily 
to congratulate you upon it. And, to speak of it as I 
would to another and not to you, I think Mr. Cooper 
richly deserves not only all the personal benefit which 
can grow out of it in the shape of a legal vindication of 
truth, character and right, and of the security it may 
afford against future malignity; but that he deserves also 
the thanks of the whole Countr)^ for his courage and per- 
severance in determining to demonstrate what a Libel is, 
and that, as yet, the press is not above the law, and that it 
can yet be reached and held to responsibility. There's my 
confession. 

Yours very truly and sincerely 

D. D. Barnard 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq'', Cooperstown 

Daniel D. Barnard was a well-known resident of Albany. He 
was defeated for Congress in 1834. He was elected in 1838 and 
1842. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 
1837. In 1849 he was appointed minister to Berlin, which post 
he filled for several years. 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Head's, Monday, 27th [May, 1839] 
Dearest, 

I got here last night, all well. I saw Mrs. Laight, who 
insists on Charles passing a week with her. As I shall 
be detained here until next week, and below until about 
the 10th, this may take place. The book is not yet finished, 
but will be in all this week. I have sold a few hundred 
copies, and am moving in the matter as fast as I can. 

There is a sad condition of things in this diocese. The 



394 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1839 

same charges are preferred against this Bishop, that are 
preferred against ours, and they intend to impeach him. 
How far faction is at the bottom of this affair, I cannot 
say, but brandy and women are said to be the common 
banes. My informant says the proof is conclusive, and is 
of opinion that great unanimity prevails among the clergy 
of the diocese on the subject. 

John Sargent was in the cars. He had just left the 
Wises on board the Constitution in the harbour. They 
will probably sail to-day. 

Poor Ned Shubrick is dead — he died at sea, on his pas- 
sage between Rio and Gibraltar. The complaint was an 
affection of the liver. I shall write to his brother to-day. 

We had a good time down the river — each a stateroom, 
and all for $4.50, passages included. It happened to be a 
cheap day. 

I have no more to say, my love, but to send my kind- 
est regards, and to ask you to look after the garden. 

Adieu, 
J. F. C. 

It is now thought Van Buren will be nominated. 

FROM THEODORE SEDGWICK 

New York, May 28th, 1839 
My Dear Sir, 

If perad venture you saw a little notice in the Evening 
Post of y^ victory over the Otsego Journalist, I hope you 
did not think it a Paul Pry-ism or an invasion of y"" Pri- 
vate rights, for I must shoulder the responsibility. The 
truth is I received the particulars from Y'^ friend the 
Chief Justice [Judge Nelson], and I could not refrain 



1839!] JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER 395 

from putting them in the shape of a Paragraph, I knew 
however that there would be sundry of the Press Gentry 
here who would be particularly nettled by Your success. 
I never heard the particulars of the Libel, but I took it 
for granted that it was a case for a jury to interfere and 
I am very glad they have done so. I have called once or 
twice at the Astor House to see you under an erroneous 
impression that you were in Town, but it proved only a 
false alarm. I hope sincerely that your opponent may not 
get a new Trial, and I could not refrain from taking up 
this much of your time to tell you so. Pray excuse the 
trespass, and Believe me, with great respect very faith- 
fully 

Yours, 

Theodore Sedgwick Jr 
Fenimore Cooper, Esqr., Cooperstown 

TO MRS. COOPER, COOPERSTOWN 

Head's, Monday, July 2 1st, 1839 
Dearest, 

I got here Saturday evening, but did not write yester- 
day, as I had nothing to say. About 2000 copies of the 
History have been sold, and new orders are beginning to 
come in. On the whole, the sale is good, though Lea does 
not think a new edition will be required this some time. 
I am making my present arrangement in a new way, and 
I shall do something, though what, I cannot yet tell. I 
expect to leave this place on Wednesday, or on Thursday 
at the latest. 

Col. Grey, Lord Grey's second son, is here with his 
wife. I dine with them to-day, and may persuade them 
to come up and see us. If anything is done in that way, I 



396 JAMES FENIMORE-COOPER [1839 

shall provide the means. I should like to manifest my 
sense of Lady Grey's kindness to me. I rather think, 
however, they will not come. If they do, they will be at 
Cooperstown in about a fortnight. Leave it all to me, and 
it shall be properly done. 

Times are hard, but I hope to effect my business and be 
home this week. I find the public sentiment very generally 
with me in regard to the editors, and the respectable por- 
tion of the latter ashamed of their confreres. Every body 
appears to wish me success, and I have no doubt of it, 
myself. 

The History seems to be liked. Some opinions are 
strongly in its favor, though a few cavil at it. Stevens 
thinks Perry has been worked upon, and that he will 
answer my letters, but if he do, he cannot answer my 
facts. 

They say the Court is divided in Elliott's affairs, 
though it is thought the finding will not be hard upon 
him. It got through only on Saturday last. 

I haven't seen Mrs. O'Neil, nor Aunty Rush. I have 
seen the Doctor, however, and shall make it a point to see 
Mrs. Rush, herself, before I quit town. I think she will 
come up to see us this summer. 

My love to all our dear girls, and for yourself, 

J. F. C. 



PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



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